September 22, 1938
Father Joseph Schuetz
Father Schuetz was born on March 9, 1864 in Germany and was ordained in Rome on Christmas Day in 1888. His assignments in the Diocese of Wichita were at Olmitz, Florence, Frontenac, Marienthal, Great Bend, Windthorst and Cunningham. On July 26, 1911 he returned to his former pastorate in Florence with Burns as a mission where he remained until his retirement in April of 1936. During his many years at Florence he built the current church. Forced to retire due to illness he went to Germany for a visit with the hope of returning to Florence to live out his life with the people he ministered to for so many years. While in Germany he died on September 22, 1938 at Oestrichwinkel and was buried at Assmanshausen. A memorial Mass was celebrated in Florence on September 26th, the same day of his funeral in Germany, with Father Leo Klasinski as celebrant and with Msgr. Pompeney preaching the sermon.