Reverend Fr. Miguel Herrera Guevara, 85 of North Platte passed away May 31, 2015 at Great Plains Health. He was born in Mesilla, New Mexico on September 29, 1929 to Jose’ and Juana (Herrera) Guevara.
Miguel grew up and attended elementary school in Mesilla. He entered the United States Army in 1947, serving until 1951. He was eligible for discharge but was retained and served in combat during the Korean War where he was awarded the combat bronze star. Upon his discharge he opened his own restaurant, and later worked in Kansas on television towers before deciding to enter the seminary. It was in 1956 that he entered St. John Vianney Seminary in Elkhorn, NE. It was there where he finished high school and two years of college. He went on from there to Conception, MO to seminary training at Immaculate Conception Seminary where he was ordained a priest. On May 26, 1967 Father Miguel was ordained to the priesthood for the service of the Diocese of Grand Island, NE in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in El Paso, TX. His accomplishments in the priesthood were many including Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, North Platte, Diocesan Migrant Program, Assistant Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral , Grand Island, chairman of City Human Rights Commission, Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary, Alliance, Assistant Pastor of St. Patrick in Eddyville, St. John Capistran in Amherst, St. Mary in Oconto and St. Boniface in Callaway, Pastor of St. Theresa in Mitchell, Sacred Heart in Lyman and St. Ann in Morrill. He was appointed Associate Director of the Office of Hispanic Ministry; residence at St. Patrick’s in North Platte and celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination on May 24, 1992 in North Platte, retiring from active ministry on July 1, 1995.
He will be remembered most of all as a very loving priest. He exhibited a heart for the poor and loved the joy that the children brought to the church.
Survivors include his siblings, Moses Guevara of Tulare, CA, Geronimo (Jerrry) Guevara of Tulare, CA, Tom and Esther Ruiz of Sunnyvale, CA, Benny Guevara of San Jose, CA, Richard Guevara of Tracy, CA, Tony Guevara of Yountville, Ca, Mary Lou Reyes of Madera, CA, Gilbert Guevara of San Jose, CA, Connie Guevara of Fresno, Ca, and Dora Martinez of Stockton, CA.
Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Services will be 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt as celebrant. Burial will be in San Albino’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Mesilla, New Mexico.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.