Reverend Robert Lee Lexa

entered eternal life on May 1, 2021, at the age of 94. Father Lexa was born in Milwaukee, WI to Otto J. and Eugenia (Downey) Lexa. He attended Marquette University in Milwaukee and joined the navy out of high school and was a pharmacist Mate, Third Class. After his time in the Navy, he attended Spencerian Business College, Milwaukee, Lawrence Seminary, Mt. Calvary and Coalition Seminary, Washington D.C. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 3, 1970, by Bishop Leo J. Brust, Mt. Calvary, WI, for Friars Minor Capuchin, St. Joseph Province. He was also a door-to-door salesman for Fuller Brush and The Kitchen Craft Company.

In 1990, Father Lexa was appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Pius X Parish, Appleton. He formally incardinated in the Diocese of Green Bay in 1991 and was appointed Parochial Vicar of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Kimberly. In 1993, he was appointed Parochial Vicar of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, Neenah, where he served until his retirement in 1997. He continued helping at St. Mary Parish, Appleton, up until 2019.

Prior to incardination, Fr. Lexa served in a pastoral role at St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, and Monte Alverno Retreat House, Appleton. He also worked for the Diocese of Green Bay Family Life Office for ten years.

He was preceded in death by his sister Jeanne (Robert) Kailing and his brother James (Rosalie) Lexa. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The wake for Father Lexa will be held at Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel at 606 North Oneida Street, Appleton, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, from 5 - 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday, May 6, 2021, from 9 – 10 a.m. at St. Mary Parish, located at 312 S. State Street, Appleton. To ensure health and safety, there will be strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines with masks required and social distancing.

The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith and our hope in the promised glory of the Lord's Resurrection, will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at St. Mary Parish, Appleton. Most Rev. David Ricken will preside at the funeral. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Appleton.

Memorials may be made in Father Bob's honor to St. Mary's Parish, 312 S State St., Appleton, WI 54911.

Click on the link below to livestream the Mass for Rev. Bob at 10 AM on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

http://stmaryparish.org/fatherbob/