A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Fr. Douglas J. Gits on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at St. Francis of Assisi in Rochester, MN. Bishop John M. Quinn will preside. Visitation at the church at 10AM with Mass starting at 12 noon. Burial will be at St. Gabriel Cemetery, Fulda, MN.

Father Gits, age 88, of Rochester, a retired priest of the Winona Diocese and a former Army Chaplain died March 12, 2016, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, of pneumonia.

Douglas J. Gits was born August 9, 1927, in Fulda, MN. He was the son of Victor and Christina (Plut) Gits. He graduated from Fulda High School in 1945. He attended Seminary at St. John's University, Collegeville, MN, and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He was ordained a Priest of the Catholic Church in 1953, and served 3 years in Winona, MN at St. Stanislaus Church and instructor at Cotter High School. He was assistant Pastor for 5 years at Adrian, MN. Upon entering the Military Service in 1961 as an Army Chaplain, he served in Fort Riley, KS; Korea; White Sands, NM; Vietnam (1966), where he was awarded the Bronze Star; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Hamilton, NY; and Heidelberg and Frankfurt, Germany. Upon returning from the military in 1972, he was assigned Pastor at Easton/Delavan, Harmony/Lanesboro, Dodge Center/Kasson/Claremont/West Concord, MN and finally at Hayfield, MN before retiring in Rochester, MN.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. During his school years, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, chorus, band, and orchestra. He played football and baseball for St. John's University. He was an avid golfer and winner of the diocese priest golf tournament on many occasions. Survivors include 14 nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister (Marjorie), brother (Thomas), and three nephews.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com