Father Eugene Francis Walding

Rev. Eugene Francis Walding, 84, passed away peacefully at Holy Spirit Retirement Home on Monday, November 27, 2017.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at the St. Joseph Church of the Cathedral of the Epiphany Parish with Bishop R. Walker Nickless officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday from 6-7 p.m. with Rosary starting at 6 p.m. and a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. all at the Larkin Chapel of Christy Smith Funeral Homes in Sioux City. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.christysmith.com
Fr. Walding was born in Sioux City on December 16, 1932 to Bernard F. and Mary Edna (O’Shonessy) Walding. In 1951, he graduated from Bishop Heelan High School. Following high school, Fr. Walding attended Morningside College before joining the U.S. Army where he served as a private from 1953-55. In 1962, he attended St. Bernard’s in Dubuque for Seminary. He was ordained at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in June of 1966. He served as a priest from 1966 until 2004 when he medically retired. Soon after, Fr. Walding moved to Holy Spirit Retirement Home in Sioux City.
Fr. Walding served many different parishes in the Diocese of Sioux City including St. Joseph Church, Cathedral of Epiphany, where he was ordained and Nativity Church all in Sioux City, St. Boniface Church of Charter Oak, Iowa, Sacred Heart Parish in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Christ the King in Dayton, Iowa, and Marian Retirement Home in Ft. Dodge.
Fr. Walding’s passion and prayer life was centered around contemplative spirituality, especially the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Thomas Merton. He was a Secular Carmelite and spiritual director. Fr. Walding attended Merton Conferences and spoke on Merton's teachings. Fr. Walding was also involved in charismatic renewal, attended conferences at Notre Dame and shared teachings and reflections on the topic.
Fr. Walding's family and friends will remember him for reflections on his month-long silent hermitage retreats, kindness and empathy, interest in all who entered his life, storytelling and his signature hearty laugh. His hobbies included photography and bird watching.
Fr. Walding is survived by his sister, Beverly Walding of Sioux City, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bernard G., Phillip, Bob and Tom Walding and sister, Patricia Walding Lowndes.