Obituary of Edmond Joseph Dunn

The Reverend Edmond “Ed” J. Dunn, age 89, resident of Oxford for many years died Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Keystone Retirement Residence, in North Liberty.

Edmond Joseph Dunn was born August 11, 1935, in Oxford the youngest of four children to W. Raymond and Kathryn (McDonough) Dunn.  He graduated valedictorian of his class at Oxford High School and entered St. Ambrose University, where he received his Bachelors of Art’s degree, followed by his Master of Arts in music from the University of Iowa in 1959.  For a number of years, he taught music at Iowa City Regina High School.

His next adventure led him abroad to study Gregorian Chant and sacred music in Rome. While there he rode his Vespa scooter over the Alps in search of historical manuscripts, helped unearth artifacts at an archeological dig in Israel, and served as a papal volunteer in Peru. It was his work in Peru that led him to his decision to enter the priesthood. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in 1972, and that same year Master of Divinity from Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Rome. Following his Ordination in 1972, a lifelong learner, he had one more degree to receive, his Doctor of Philosophy from the Boston College in 1978.

Fr. Ed returned to St. Ambrose University in 1976 where he would spend the next 35 years on the faculty serving in numerous leadership roles in addition to his teaching. During this time he authored two books, was a weekly contributor to the Catholic Messenger, traveled with students for nearly 25 years to the Kentucky Appalachian region doing service projects, established St. Ambrose’s Youth Ministry group, and was the co-founder of Ambrosians for Peace and Justice within the school.  As a fellow colleague, priest and good friend said of Father Dunn, “There is a depth to Father Dunn’s theology that isn’t just theory.  It is put into practice, it is lived”.  Closing out his beautiful career, Father Ed chose to serve as Pastor to his home parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Oxford and St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Cosgrove.

His family includes a sister-in-law, Cathy Dunn; 10 nieces and nephews, Dr. Anne Kolar, Matthew Kolar (Kathy), Joseph Kolar (Kathy), Karen O’Malley (Sean), Mary Bruner, Michael Dunn, Mark Dunn, Dan Dunn, Julie Szot (Joseph), and Mary Reilly (Jim); 15 great-nieces and nephews, 8 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Francis Dunn, Paul Dunn and Ramona Kolar, brother-in-law Don Kolar, nephew, Thomas Dunn; and nephew-in-law, Scott Bruner, and niece-in-law, Lucy Dunn.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10am Saturday, June 21, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford, with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Friday, June 20th. at St. Peters Catholic Church in Cosgrove, concluding with a parish vigil service at 7pm.  In lieu of flowers, Father Dunn expressed his wishes for memorial donations be made to either or both Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford or St. Pater’s Cemetery in Cosgrove for future needs and care.