Rev. Fr. Joseph A. Gondek, 100, of Crystal Falls, passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2011, at Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls. He was born July 28, 1911, in Sobieski, Wis., son of the late Albert and Sofia (Palka) Gondek. Fr. Joseph was the oldest of 12 children. He moved with his family to a farm near Bagley, Mich., as a small child. Fr. Joseph graduated from the 8th grade at the age of 13. A year later, he entered the Pontifical College Josephenum in Columbus, Ohio, and St. Mary's in Orchard Lake, Mich., and was ordained May 25, 1937. He celebrated his first solemn Mass at his home parish, St. Frederick's Church in Daggett. Fr. Gondek's first assignment as a priest was as an assistant at St. Sebastian Parish and its school in Bessemer. He stayed two years until brief assistant ships in Newberry and Vulcan. During those early years as a priest, he started the first Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) in Newberry, Grand Marais, and Vulcan. He also started weekly Mass at the Mission in Grand Marais. From Vulcan, Fr. Gondek was appointed as an assistant at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, Crystal Falls. Along with this assignment, he was responsible for the missions of nearby Alpha and Amasa. Fr. Gondek was interested in getting to know the parishioners he served and conducted a census that involved visitng homes that were not known to be Catholic. While doing this, he discovered that there were more than 400 potential parishioners in the Alpha area, which was more than enough for the area to have its own church. With Fr. Gondek's guidance, financial help was received by the Catholic Church Extension Society along with local Catholics to make St. Edward Church a reality. Although he had no building experience, Fr. Gondek worked side-by-side with volunteers to construct the church, which was dedicated on July 1, 1943. Fr. Gondek was named the first pastor of St. Edward Church. On December 19, 1951, he was transferred to St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church and served there for 19 years. During his time at the Kingsford church, he got involved in another project building a new rectory. In addition, he remodeled the church to conform to post-Vatican II principles and helped people to understand the church in light of the Second Vatican Council. In 1968, he returned to Guardian Angels parish and renovated that church to the new liturgical guidelines. He also served as chairman of the Iron County Clergy Association for two years. In 1984, Fr. Gondek's work in the community was recognized when he was selected as Citizen of the Year by the local Lions Club. Fr. Gondek celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the priesthood in 1987, retiring in 1991. After retirement, he published three books, Landlords of the World, 1997, and A World Held Hostage by Debt: What Bankers Don't Want You to Know, 2004, What's Going on Here: Celebrating Remembrance of Past Events and Thanksgiving for a Present Reality, 2006. Fr. Gondek was known for his many home visits to his parishioners. He always felt that this is one of the most effective and rewarding things a pastor can do. He is survived by two brothers, Walter (Betty) Gondek, Miklwaukee, Wis., Leonard (Kathy) Gondek, Riddle, Ore.; one sister, Adele Baker, Caspian, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Gondek, Menominee, Mich., Ella Gondek, Golden, BC, Canada; 25 nieces and nephews, 43 great-nieces and nephews, 18 great-great nieces and nephews, and a devoted friend, Dave Heikkinen. Fr. Gondek was preceded in death by six brothers, Thad Gondek, Erwin Gondek, Stanley Gondek, Frank Gondek, Tony Gondek, Aloysius Gondek; two sisters, Sister Maria Regina Mundi "Mary", Jean Tako; two brothers-in-law, Mike Tako, Frank Baker; sisters-in-law, Mabel and Margaret Gondek. Visitation will be Friday, September 16, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Guardian Angels Catholic Church where Fr. Gondek's body will lie in state. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Friday at the Church. Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample will celebrate. The Priests of the Diocese will concelebrate. The Knights of Columbus Post No. 3082, Crystal Falls, will serve as honor guard. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Crystal Falls. Memorials can be made to Guardian Angels Catholic Church or MissionHurst-CICM of 4651 25th Street, Arlington, VA, 22207-3500, phone 703-528-3800. You may light a candle in remembrance of Fr. Joseph or leave a condolence for his family at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com. The Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home, Crystal Falls, is serving the family.