Rev. William Frederich Speerstra, 83, a Stevens Point native who served as a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Superior, died Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at his home in Minocqua.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 11, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Woodruff, with Bishop James Powers presiding. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. Monday in St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Stevens Point.

Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. Monday until the Mass.

Donations may be made to Pius Priest’s Fund, Diocese of
Superior or Northwoods Wildlife Center in Minocqua.

Bolger Funeral and Cremation Service of Minocqua and
Woodruff assisted with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.bolgerfuneral.com.

The Rev. Speerstra was born Dec. 4, 1932, in Stevens Point,
a son of the late Walter and Clara (Kujawa) Speerstra. He attended St. Stephen
Elementary School and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point.

He then attended St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary and
St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee.

While in the seminary, he requested a release from the
Diocese of La Crosse and was “adopted” by the Bishop of the Diocese of Superior
to serve as a priest upon the completion of the requirements of the priesthood.

He was ordained a Catholic priest May 30, 1959, in Superior
by Bishop Joseph J. Annabring. His initial assignment was assistant pastor at
St. Joseph Parish in Rhinelander and then in River Falls.

He subsequently served as assistant vocations director of
Douglas County and at parishes in Hudson, Superior, Rhinelander, Monico,
Pelican Lake, Spooner, Trego, Sheldon, Jump River, Conrath, Catawba and
Prentice.

After serving as pastor for St. Albert Parish in Land O’Lakes,
and St. Mary Parish in Phelps, he retired from priestly active ministry June 1,
1998.

Survivors include one sister, Gretchen, Madison.