November 25, 1946 – September 10, 2024
Fr. Daniel G. Juelfs , 77, passed away on September 10, 2024.
He was born November 25, 1946, in Aberdeen to Norbert and Adelaide (Callaghan) Juelfs. He was raised on a farm/ranch in Harding County. He received Baptism and First Communion at St. Eulalia Church at Ralph and received Confirmation at St. Anthony Church in Buffalo.
In 1965, he graduated from St. Mary High School in New England, ND. He completed two years at St. John Vianney Seminary in Elkhorn, NE and six years at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, MN. He earned his Canon Law degree after studying at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada from 1996-1998.
He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Harold J. Dimmerling on June 8, 1973, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Ralph. During his years of ministry, he served 26 parishes in Perkins, Corson, Butte, Ziebach, Meade, and Pennington counties before retiring from full-time parish ministry in 2021.
Fr. Dan, as he was known by most, also served in various diocesan ministries, including judicial vicar, vicar general, vicar for clergy, College of Consultors, the presbyteral council, and finally as diocesan administrator. He served as vicar general for then-Bishop Blase Cupich, and Bishop Robert Gruss reappointed him. On
June 11, 2023, he celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for his 50th anniversary of priesthood.
In 1973, he and the late Fr. Dale Kutil were instrumental in purchasing a house to serve as the Newman Center, where he served as director. His ministry included Marriage Encounter chaplain and Chaplain for the Rapid City Fire Department.
He was eligible for retirement in 2016 but continued to serve in Eagle Butte and its seven mission parishes due to a shortage of priests. Later, he was assigned as parish administrator in Wall and then in Lemmon.
Fr. Dan retired from parish work in 2021 but continued to serve on the tribunal as defender of the bond and to provide sacramental coverage for parishes as needed.
Following the death of Bishop Peter Muhich, the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Rapid City elected Fr. Dan to lead the diocese on February 19, 2024.
He is survived by one sister, Marcia (Dale) Hochhalter of Brooklyn Park, MN; and two brothers, Gregory Juelfs (Dena) of Buffalo and Vincent Juelfs (Karen) of Huron.
Fr. Dan was predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Noreen.
A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 19 at the Cathedral in Rapid City. This Mass will be live streamed at www.rapidcitydiocese. org/live and facebook.com/ DioceseofRapidCity.
Burial will be at noon at the Priests’ Cemetery at Terra Sancta. A reception will follow the burial at the Terra Sancta Retreat Center.