Fr. Anthony “Tony” Stubeda, 65, a priest of the Diocese of New Ulm, died of cancer on April 29, 2024, at his residence in Marshall, MN. He was a beloved priest who will be remembered for his kindness and compassion.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on May 6, 2024, at St. Philip Catholic Church in Litchfield, MN, with burial in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Litchfield.
Anthony John “Tony” Stubeda was born on November 12, 1958, in Litchfield, to Wallace and Pauline (Fink) Stubeda. A native of Litchfield, Minnesota, Father Stubeda attended Saint John Vianney Seminary and the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul from 1977 to 1981, graduating with a B.A. in English. In 1985, he graduated from the Saint Paul Seminary with an M.A. in Theology, M.Div.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of New Ulm on June 1, 1985, in Litchfield by Bishop Raymond A. Lucker. Following his ordination, his first assignment was at Holy Redeemer in Marshall, serving one-quarter as a campus minister at Southwest State University in Marshall. He then went on to serve the parishes of St. Clara in Clara City, Sacred Heart in Raymond, St. Mary in Willmar, St. Patrick in Kandiyohi, St. Thomas More in Lake Lillian, St. Pius X in Glencoe, Holy Family in Silver Lake, Holy Trinity in Winsted, St. Mary in Tracy, St. Michael in Milroy, and finally the Bread of Life Area Faith Community.
Father Tony was recognized for his passion for the Hispanic community. Some of his accomplishments include the Diocese of New Ulm Distinguished Service Award, the City of New Ulm Human Rights Award, Region IX MSSA Distinguished Service Award, Founding Director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry, two-year president of the Catholic Migrant Farmworkers Network and Designer and Coordinator of the Crossroads of Friendship. Most recently, Father Tony was serving as the pastor of the Bread of Life Area Faith Community including Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Cottonwood, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Milroy.
He is survived by his siblings Doug (Pat Taylor) Stubeda of Lutsen, Alice (Doug) Peipus of St. Cloud, Stephanie (Jon) Leininger of St. Paul, Jean (Dan Hesterman) Johnson of St. Cloud, Marty (Chris) Stubeda of Radcliff, KY, Stanley Stubeda of Litchfield, MN; nieces and nephews Jennifer (Chad) Hartman, Allison (Andrew) Harmer, Matthew (Melissa) Leininger, Sam (Amber) Johnson, Peter Johnson (Amanda Winter), Katrina (Travis) Daul, Angela (Brendan) McMahon, Jason Stubeda (Grace Hooker), Kimberly (Anthony) Gardner, Alex Stubeda, Tasha (Dylan) Koll, close friend Jenner Herrera and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Wallace and Pauline Stubeda and two brothers and one sister in infancy.