Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Msgr. Adrian Herbek, a retired priest from the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, passed away on October 4 at the age of 90. He had recently celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination on June 5.

Born and raised on a farm near Deweese, Msgr. Herbek was one of five siblings. His youngest sister is Sister Rosaline Herbek of the Marian Sisters in the Diocese of Lincoln.

Although he attended public school during his youth, Msgr. Herbek dedicated all 50 years of his active priesthood to Catholic education. Reflecting on his career in a 2019 interview, he said, “I never intended to be in Catholic schools, but that was the highlight of my 50 years [as an active priest]."

His first assignment as a priest was at St. Wenceslaus Parish in Wahoo, where he taught, coached, and directed the marching band. He particularly enjoyed working with high school students and spent 29 years as a superintendent.

Ordained in 1959 by Bishop James V. Casey at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Deweese, Msgr. Herbek served at various locations throughout his career. After Wahoo, he spent three years at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln during its construction phase.

He then moved to David City for 43 years, initially as principal and later as superintendent at Aquinas High School. His pastorates included 17 years at St. Francis Parish in Center and 19 years at St. Mary Parish in David City. In recognition of his service, Pope John Paul II invested him as a Monsignor in 1991 while he was serving in David City.

After retiring to Lincoln in 2009, Msgr. Herbek accepted an assignment at Ss. Mary and Joseph Parish in Valparaiso for one year before returning to Bonacum House to retire again but continued substituting for other priests over eight years.

In 2019, he filled in at St. Joseph Parish in Friend for two years through the pandemic before retiring permanently to Bonacum House for a third time in June 2021.

A funeral Mass took place on October 11 at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ with Emeritus Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz officiating alongside priests from the Diocese of Lincoln concelebrating. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery under arrangements made by Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home.

Msgr. Herbek is survived by sisters Mildred Lemke, Mary Ellen Karsting, and Sister Rosaline M.S.