J-lake Dentist exchanges retirement for robes

By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent | June 9, 2010; Kearney HUB on line at: http://www.kearneyhub.com

COZAD — The congregation packed Christ the King Catholic Church in Cozad Saturday evening to witness the Rev. Jerry Wetovick’s first Mass.

Wetovick served Cozad as a dentist from 1961 until he retired in 2006. However, the retirement he and his wife, Pat, had planned at Johnson Lake ended in January 2007 when she died suddenly.

Not long after that, Wetovick called Bishop William J. Dendinger of the Grand Island Diocese to say he wanted to enter the priesthood.

At 74 years old, Wetovick was ordained Friday in services at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island.