Thanking God for the time that Fr. Vince spent at our parish, Good Shepherd in Colleyville Tx.  He was a true man of God and shared his gentle joy with everyone.  He came to our home and blessed it and shared dinner with us all.  I will always be so grateful! May his soul rest in peace.

                                                          Our Father

Blessings to you, our Father Vince,
Son of Albert and Hazel Elsen,
Third child in their family of five.

When only 13, he felt God's call
And left for the Seminary 
to join the Franciscans.
He continued his education,
Never wavered in his vocation,
Made the life-long commitment
To become a priest.

When he was ordained,
The family all came
To his very first Mass.
His career has been rich, his talents varied,
He's been a retreat master, a teacher and vocational director;
He's been a pastor, a hospital chaplain and helper for many.

But for us, his family,
He's been so much more.
He's been our Father, our very special priest.
He has baptized us and married us
And helped be our guide, our moral compass.

He said our family Mass, special times we shared.
He's our brother, our uncle, our cousin.
But most of all, he will always be our Father,
Our Father Vince.

So, here's to a life well-lived
Nearly 100 years old,
May all of God's blessings
Be his up in Heaven.

We are so very sorry for your loss of a beautiful soul. May God comfort you and bring wonderful memories.
Fr. Vince was a very dear friend of my family as he served in St. Thomas Parish in Ruston, Louisiana. He would often come out for a visit or meal at our home. We had many fond memories with Fr. Vince. He was always up for fellowship and fun.
One special memory was a trip to Wisconsin that my sister and I made with him for his niece’s wedding ceremony. It was truly such a fun, great memorable trip for us! I will never forget it. Another wonderful memory was when Fr. Vince married my husband and I 32 years ago. 
More than anything, Fr. Vince had a great impact on my spiritual life. As a teenager, I had many questions. He would patiently listen and lovingly guide me along with honest heartfelt conversations and challenges to help me grow in my faith.  
I am eternally grateful for his kindness and genuine love to me and my family.
He truly loved the Lord and lived it out.
Fr. Vince had a deep impact on my life and I know many others. It gives me great joy to know he is now in perfect peace with his Savior. I am sure he has heard the words from his Father in heaven, “Well done my good and faithful servant!”

Our extended Willett family has lost its Patriarch and beloved Spiritual Leader.  His obituary is beautiful and captures his life to a tee.  The gentlest of spirits, he was there for all of us at life’s most celebratory and difficult of moments.  For many of us, he helped us keep the faith when it was difficult to do so.  There was NOTHING like a mass led by our Uncle.  

He cherished his Franciscan brothers and sisters.  You were his closest of family!!!  We enjoyed hearing about his relationships with you and all those he served.  Thank you for your love and support of him, especially in these last years.

We know he has been reunited with his Mom, Dad, siblings, cousins, extended family, and friends that have gone before him.  What a celebration it must be!

Thank you for your many blessings, Fr. Vince!  We are eternally grateful.  We will miss you.

Fr. Vincent was always kind and helpful when he was in Bastrop and would come to West Monroe to visit.  As a Mass celebrant his deep spirituality was evident to all.

He was well know for his sense of humor 
I am sure he was welcomed in heaven by many family and friends.
He will be missed.   


OBITUARY

Fr. Vincent Elsen O.F.M.

14 December, 1921 – 10 November, 2021

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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