Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann 1941 - 2009

Bakersfield Californian
October 24, 2009

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Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann 1941 - 2009 God called Bishop Pat home early after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer on October 22, 2009, at Holy Trinity Monastery in St. David, Arizona. Bishop Pat was born on September 13, 1941 in Pasadena, CA to Helen and J. Howard Ziemann. He was the third of eight children. He attended Mayfield School, Sacred Heart School and St. Andrew School, all grade schools in the Pasadena-Altadena area. He completed 12 years of seminary studies for the priesthood attending Our Lady Queen of Angels Junior Seminary in Mission Hills, CA for six years and six years at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on April 29, 1967. His educational degrees included a B.A.

Degree in Philosophy from St. John's Seminary College; a M.A. Degree in Religion from St. John's Seminary and a Masters in Education from Mount St. Mary's College in Los Angeles. He held state credentials in secondary teaching, administration and pupil personnel services. Pat was fluent in English and Spanish. Bishop Pat's priestly assignments were: St. Matthias Parish in Huntington Park as Associate Pastor from 1967 to 1971; Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, as a teacher of Religion from 1971 to 1974 and at Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary, Mission Hills, as Vice Rector, Dean of Studies, and teacher from 1974-1987.

He was ordained to the Episcopacy on February 23, 1987 in Los Angeles and was an Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and served the Santa Barbara- Ventura Region of the Archdiocese. Bishop Pat was appointed Bishop of Santa Rosa on July 14, 1992 where he served until July 1999. He resided at Holy Trinity Benedictine Monastery, St. David, AZ from 2000 until his passing. Bishop Pat was an Educator both in and outside the classroom. There was never a time he did not stop what he was doing to listen to a person's problem, say yes to a request to perform a baptism, wedding or funeral no matter where in the country the event was being held. His hands and heart were always open to anyone who needed help along life's road. Bishop Pat had few hobbies. He loved to go to the movies, watch the news on television to stay up on the current events. He loved being around family and friends. He loved to play little pranks on people.

His laughter would light up the room. Bishop Pat the person has left this earth to go home but he will live in the hearts and minds of all those he came in contact with. Although we mourn his loss we honor him best by continuing to live as he has shown us. Anyone who had the good fortune of knowing Bishop Pat took a little bit of him away with them; be it a prayer life or service to others. Bishop Pat was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph Scott ("Mr. Los Angeles") his wife Bertha; his paternal grandparents, Gus and Catherine Ziemann; his parents, Helen and Howard Ziemann; his sister, Ann Marie; and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his brother, John; brother, Joe and wife Florence (Bill, Diane, Julie and husband Steve, and Amy and husband John); brother, Mike and wife Linda (Joe, Shawn, Kelly, Nicole, and Chris); sister, Kathleen Pesqueira and husband Al (Mike, Maureen, Scott, and Sean); brother, Tony and wife Peggy (Emily and Katie); brother, Pete (Chelsea and fiancé Bill).

He is survived by many family members including cousins and great nieces and nephews and by his many friends. Bishop Pat spent many good years at Holy Trinity Monastery and has many friends from that community. The family appreciates the skilled and loving care that Bishop Pat received from hospice nurse Mary Ann and from his care nurse Mary and her volunteer crew of Watchful Angels. Bishop Pat was always available for his family and many friends.

We could count on his presence at the many family gatherings. We all will miss his guidance and larger than life personality. Family and many, many others have been helped over the years of Pat's earthly journey and look forward to reuniting with him when our journeys are done. The family encourages donations be made to a favorite charity. Bishop Pat was particularly interested in fostering Holy Trinity Monastery and would want any donations that might be directed to them to be used for their various building programs and special projects. Those donations can be directed to Holy Trinity Monastery, P.O. 298, St. David, Arizona 85630 Attn: Father Henri Capdeville O.S.B. Celebrations of life of Bishop Pat will be held at a private family gathering. The family requests that messages of condolence be sent through www.BishopPat.com. God bless us all! Greenlawn Mortuary