Br. Raymond Meier OFM Cap
Br. Raymond Meier, OFM Cap., died unexpectedly on the morning of Saturday, May 31, 2025. He was 82 years old and a Capuchin friar for more than 63 years.
Born Francis Joseph Meier on December 3, 1942, in Marytown, Wisconsin, he was the son of Anton and Margaret (Franzen) Meier. Raised on the family farm, he grew up alongside his siblings: Benedict, Dorothy, Edward, Marian, and Melvin.
After graduating from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Marytown, Br. Raymond entered the Capuchin formation program in 1961. He received the habit on March 17, 1962, at Sacred Heart Friary in Baraga, Michigan, and made his first profession of vows on March 19, 1963. He completed initial studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Crown Point, Indiana, and made his perpetual profession on March 19, 1966. He continued his formation while serving in community kitchens and formation houses, including St. Anthony Friary in Marathon, Wisconsin; St. Felix Friary in Huntington, Indiana; and later back at St. Mary’s.
Br. Raymond spent the next two decades in maintenance ministry at several Capuchin houses, including Queen of Angels Retreat Center in Saginaw, Michigan; St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit; and St. Lawrence Seminary in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin. In 1989, he joined the staff at Capuchin Retreat in Washington, Michigan, where he ministered for eight years. At the time of his 25th jubilee in 1988, then-Provincial Minister Br. Ken Reinhart, OFM Cap., wrote: “Your presence among us has been an important part of our continued growth in faith and spirit over the years. Your service through witness and ministry has enriched the Church.”
In 1997, Br. Raymond requested a leave of absence, during which he continued as a member of the Province while working as a security guard and residing in Warren, Michigan. He returned to Capuchin community life in 2009, residing at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. In 2012, he moved to live there full-time.
Br. Raymond celebrated his golden jubilee in 2013. In a reflection shared with the Province, he spoke with gratitude about his lifelong hobby of riding the high-wheel bicycle, participating in events and parades throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. He also reflected on his decades-long ministry of crafting and repairing rosaries—a labor of love he began in 1957. Br. Raymond made thousands of rosaries for family members, funeral homes, and the faithful across the country.
In 2017, Br. Raymond moved to assisted living in Chilton, Wisconsin, while being affiliated with the St. Felix community in Mount Calvary, Wisconsin.
Br. Raymond was a man of deep faith, generous service, and joyful simplicity. He was remembered by many for the Meier-family traits he embodied: humility, diligence, kindness, and a playful spirit rooted in reverence.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Margaret Meier; his siblings: Benedict Meier, Edward Meier, Marian (Walter) Loehr, Dorothy (Donald) Diederich, and Melvin Meier; and by Wayne Voss, husband of Margaret (Kauth) Voss.
He is survived by his cousin Margaret (Kauth) Voss, who was raised in the Meier home; sisters-in-law Arlene Meier and Rosie Meier; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family, friends, and his Capuchin brothers with whom he lived, prayed, and ministered for more than six decades.
A Liturgy Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. Lawrence Seminary Chapel, 301 Church Street, Mount Calvary, WI 53057. Burial will take place in the St. Lawrence Friary Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at St. Lawrence. The liturgy will be livestreamed at www.thecapuchins.org.
Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Br. Raymond’s family at the St. Lawrence Friary Chapel on Tuesday, June 10th from 9:30 AM until 10:15 AM.
For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.
Raymond’s family wishes to extend heartfelt appreciation to the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph,
Br. Dave Schwab, Br. Biju Parakkalayil, Century Ridge Administrator Tracy Stephany, and staff, Oshkosh Ascension Mercy Hospital, St. Francis Home, Sippel Funeral Home, Janet Furtak, niece, Judith McFarland, Rosie Meier, and Dan Diederich, nephew.