I was born in New Hampton, Iowa, and raised in the small town of Ft. Atkinson near Decorah. Upon graduating from Turkey Valley High School, I attended the University of Iowa. I spent an additional year at Loras College in Dubuque studying philosophy prior to attending St. Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana.

I was ordained to the Priesthood at Nativity Parish in Dubuque on June 24, 1989. My first assignment was at St. Patrick Church in Cedar Rapids. My second assignment was at Sacred Heart Parish in Waterloo along with teaching responsibilities at Columbus High. My third assignment was my first Pastorate. I spent ten years serving parishes in Winthrop, Masonville, and Monti. My fourth assignment was a one-year stint at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids. My fifth assignment was at St. Cecilia Parish in Ames. I have spent the last 11 years at St. Patrick Church in Cedar Rapids. The last eleven years were spent rebuilding the parish that was completely destroyed by the Flood of 2008. I also served as the Catholic Priest Chaplain at St. Luke Hospital and Pastoral Coordinator of LaSalle Catholic School (Grades K-8) on the west side of Cedar Rapids.I have enjoyed every assignment that I have been given as a priest. 

I look forward to being the Pastor of St. Patrick Church in Cedar Falls. The most important thing that we can do as Christians is to pray each day. Keep me in your prayers. I promise that I will keep you in my prayers! If we are faithful to prayer, I’m sure that God will allow us to accomplish something together that is good, wonderful, and life-changing.

Fr. Ivan joined us on September 7, 2021. Join us in welcoming him to St. Patrick!