Father James Betzen, C.PP.S. Sept. 24, 1953 – Oct. 30, 2025
Father James Betzen, C.PP.S., of the United States Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, died on Oct. 30, 2025, at Our Lady of Mercy Country Home in Liberty, Missouri. He was 72 years old.
Father Jim was born in Wichita, Kansas, on Sept. 24, 1953, to Nicholas and Esther (Seidl) Betzen. He entered formation with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood on Sept.1, 1969, at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, Missouri. After graduating in 1972, he attended Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, receiving a bachelor’s degree. Fr. Jim spent a year of Special Formation at St. Mary’s Parish in Garden City, Kansas. Though he studied Spanish in high school and college, the large number of Spanish-speaking parishioners sparked his desire to become fluent in Spanish and his passion for working with immigrants. “I got a lot of practice in Garden City speaking Spanish as a Eucharistic minister to the elderly and homebound,” he said. “I have often told Catholics who want to learn and practice Spanish to become Eucharistic ministers to elderly Hispanics.”
He made Temporary Incorporation on May 30, 1977, at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, and was Definitively Incorporated as a Missionary of the Precious Blood on the Feast of St. Gaspar, October 21, 1979. After theological studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Fr. Jim was ordained to the priesthood on June 26, 1981, at his home parish in St. Mark’s, Kansas. Tragically, his father, Nick, died a week before his ordination.
Father Betzen’s first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Parish in Linton, ND, where he also was chaplain and taught at Emmons Catholic High School from 1981-83. He went to Mexico City to study Spanish in 1983-84 where he worked as a parish priest which he said gave him insights not only in the culture but also into the Mexican church. After Spanish studies, Fr. Jim was assigned as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Parish in San Angelo, Texas, from 1984-1987. In 1987, Fr. Jim became pastor of St. Charles Parish in Eden, Texas, with two mission parishes, where he served for six years. He was also chaplain at the detention center in Eden.
In 1993, Fr. Jim was named pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and Sacred Heart Shrine in Kansas City, Missouri. According to Father Al Ebach, Fr. Jim was instrumental in bringing the two parishes together. “He shared that there was turmoil because the diocese wanted to call the parishes Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Fr. Al said. “Jim was instrumental in keeping the peace as he encouraged the people to come up with a more inclusive name.” The new parish was called Sacred Heart-Guadalupe.“ Jim, with his gentle approach, was probably the right person at the time as he drew people together to develop a common bond,” Fr. Al said.
Fr. Jim remained friends with many of his parishioners at Sacred Heart/Guadalupe after he moved on to his next assignment. “I felt at home in the Hispanic community,” Fr. Jim said. “I like how they sing, how they express affection. I like their traditions. My life has been enriched by the good culture I was raised in by my family in Kansas, but the Hispanic culture has enriched my life in so many ways.”
After serving 11 years at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Fr. Jim took a sabbatical and returned to Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. In 2005, he was named pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Patrick’s Parishes in Sedalia, Missouri, and St. John Parish in Bahner, Missouri, where he served until 2011 when he was named Director of Hispanic Ministry and senior associate at the three parishes. He was also elected to the provincial council of the Kansas City Province and served in leadership from 2011-2015.
On July 1, 2014, Fr. Jim was named pastor of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he served until his retirement in 2023. “I have a passion for working with immigrants,” Fr. Jim said. “For immigrants, church is not only a place to worship, a place to gather, it is a safe place, a social place.” In every parish he served, Fr. Jim emphasized hospitality, welcoming and embracing peoples of different cultures. He always sought out people “who are bilingual and active,” he said. “I call them bridges.”
Fr. Jim was known for his gentle, pastoral and prayerful approach. His involvement with the charismatic renewal was noticed by the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph as he was appointed chaplain of the movement when he served in the diocese. “He had a great sense of poverty,” Fr. Al Ebach said. “He was willing to take on an impoverished parish, giving people a sense of comfort and hope. To the people, he seemed to be a gentle giant of a teddy bear, smiling through all kinds of adversities while building trust and hope.”
In retirement at Schaefer Mission House on the grounds of Precious Blood Renewal Center in Liberty since 2023, Fr. Jim continued to offer help to parishes in the Kansas City area, especially ministry with Hispanics. He was often called to hear confessions in Spanish.
Father Jim is survived by his siblings Bart Betzen of St. Charles, Illinois; Jane and her husband, Mike Wynne, of Shawnee, Kansas; Betty Seidel of Wichita, Kansas; Nick and Helen Betzen of Olathe, Colorado; Tom Betzen of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Lucy Betzen of Olathe, Kansas; Luke and Julie Betzen of Colwich, Kansas; Angela Fishman of Zelienople, Pennsylvania; and Maria Betzen of Bonner Springs, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Esther Betzen; his brother, Andy; and his sister, Therese.
Visitation will be at St. James Church in Liberty on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with Fr. Timothy Coday, C.PP.S., presiding, and Fr. Joseph Nassal, C.PP.S., homilist. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri.
May he rest in God’s gracious peace.