Rev. Samuel Okafor Ezeibekwe

Father Samuel Ezeibekwe, 65, died unexpectedly at the rectory of St. John Nepomucene parish in Pisek on Sunday, March 10, 2013. He was born on April 2, 1947, in Anambra State, Nigeria. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained on June 30, 1979, for the Diocese of Awka, Nigeria. In 1991, Father Ezeibekwe came to the United States to pursue advanced degrees in religious studies and systematic theology. Father Ezeibekwe began serving within the Diocese of Fargo in 1998. He served as parochial vicar at Holy Family parish, Grand Forks, from 1998 to 1999. He served as pastor of St. Lawrence O'Toole parish in Michigan with its mission parishes in Bechyne and Lomice, from 1999 to 2005. In 2005, Father Ezeibekwe was appointed pastor of St. John Nepomucene parish in Pisek, Sts. Peter and Paul parish in Bechyne, and St. Joseph parish in Lankin, and he was serving these three parishes at the time of his death. He was also Dean for Deanery IV, from 2005 to 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Pisek, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 at the church. Friends may call at the church on Thursday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Priests' Cemetery, Awka, Nigeria. An online guestbook is available at www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.