Rev. James E. Kimla of Whitefish Bay died on December 9, 2017, at Columbia St. Mary's
Hospital after a long illness, with his family and close friends at his side. He was born on August 26, 1949,
in West Bend to the late John A and Zita (Nee Whalen) Kimla. After graduating from St. Frances Cabrini School, Fr.
Kimla attended De Sales Preparatory Seminary and St. Francis Seminary.On December 12, 1976, he was ordained by
Archbishop William E. Cousins at St. Nicholas Church in Milwaukee. He celebrated his First Mass on December 19,
1976, at St. Frances Cabrini Church in West Bend. He served at St. Matthias, Milwaukee; St. Mary, Sheboygan Falls;
St. James, Mequon; St. Joseph, Grafton; St. Francis Seminary as vocations director; St. Barbara, Milwaukee; St.
Rafael the Archangel, Milwaukee, and St. Joseph, Wauwatosa. He is survived by a brother-in-law, Ray Riegert; a
brother, Jack (Shirley) Kimla; a sister, Therese Bohn; a sister, Karen Kimla; close friend, Rev. Dennis Dirkx; a
niece, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends. He
was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Riegert. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday,
December 13, at 11AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church (12130 W. Center St., Wauwatosa), preceded by a visitation
in the church beginning at 9:30 AM. Private burial will take place at Holy Angels Cemetery in West Bend. In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Francis De Sales Seminary.
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