Rev. Joseph L. Obersinner, S.J., passed away the morning of March 1, 2018 at the Sacred Hear Jesuit Center, Los Gatos, CA. An avid outdoorsman with a gentle soul, Fr. Joe spent most of his life serving the spiritual and educational needs of Native Americans in Alaska and the Inland Northwest.
One of three sons, Joseph Leroy Obersinner was born on August 6, 1918, to Joseph and Freda (Schultalber) Obersinner in Mt. Angel, OR. Joe entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, OR, on September 5, 1945, and did the regular order of studies. His life-long ministry among Native Americans began in Alaska when he taught at Holy Cross School on the Yukon River (1952-54). He attended Alma College for his theology studies and was ordained a priest on June 15, 1957.
Following his formal Jesuit training, Fr. Obersinner spent twelve years at St. Marys Mission, Omak, WA as a principal, assistant pastor, counselor, and friend to many students, families, and community members. The next twelve years saw him as co-pastor at St. Ignatius Mission, St. Ignatius, MT. In 1982 Fr. Joe returned to Omak, WA, as their pastor for two years; then he spent five years at St. Luke’s Church in Woodburn, OR, to assist his family in caring for their ailing mother. In 1991 Fr. Joe began pastoral duties for the Catholic community in Cloverdale, OR. He moved to Spokane in 1998 and lived in the Regis Community; there he did pastoral ministry in the city, helped with maintenance and gardening needs, and cared for the older Jesuits in the assisted-living center. Fr. Obersinner moved to the Los Gatos Infirmary in 2016 due to declining health.
Perhaps first among his many life interests was fishing. Wherever Fr. Joe was assigned (or on vacation) he would scout out the best sites for landing “a big one,” usually a salmon or similarly prized fish. More than once he was teased as being a “fish whisperer” for his uncanny ability to find and bring home fish when others left empty handed. Other interests Fr. Obersinner enjoyed were gardening, playing the accordion, visiting people, and playing card games. He especially loved to play the accordion at birthdays and other celebrations.
Fr. Joe was preceded in death by his brothers Leonard and Alan Obersinner. He is survived by several nephews and nieces as well as his brother Jesuits; there are countless friends and colleagues who will deeply miss him and cherish the ways he made an impact in their life.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Friday, March 16, at St. Aloysius Church, 330 E. Boone Ave, Spokane, WA. Inurnment will follow at the Jesuit Cemetery, Mt. St. Michael’s, Spokane, WA. Contributions in honor of Fr. Obersinner may be sent to the Senior Jesuit Fund (P.O. Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286).
