Retired Saint Cloud Bishop George H. Speltz dies at age 91

Bishop George Henry Speltz, who served as bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud from 1968 to 1987, died Sunday, February 1, 2004, at St. Benedict Senior Community in St. Cloud. He was 91.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, February 9, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Cloud.

Bishop Speltz was born May 29, 1912 in Altura, Minnesota. He was ordained a priest June 2, 1940, at the College of St.Theresa in Winona by then Winona Bishop Francis Kelly.

Bishop Speltz was ordained a bishop March 25, 1963, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona by Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Winona, and Titular Bishop of Claneus in 1963.

On June 7, 1966, Bishop Speltz was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud. He became the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Saint Cloud on January 31, 1968, and served the diocese in that capacity until he retired January 13, 1987.