New crucifix is dedicated at Sacred Heart Cemetery
A new Crucifix has been erected at the Saco Bohemian Cemetery located about seven miles southwest of Owatonna. Staff photo by Howard Lestrud
There is a small Bohemian cemetery located in rural farming territory surrounded by gravel roads, tall farm silos, other farm buildings and some flourishing soybean and corn crops.
The Bohemian cemetery is actually located in what once was the town of Saco. It is located on a single acre about seven miles southwest of Owatonna, just off County Road 21.
A quiet descends over the cemetery, except this special day, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
About 25 friends and neighbors gathered to participate in a special dedication and Blessing of a new Crucifix that has been placed on the northwest side of the cemetery to replace a wooden Crucifix that was weathered badly.
Leading the Blessing were Rev. Swaminatha (Swamy) Pothireddy and Rev. Jim Starasinich. They serve respectively as priests at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, both in Owatonna.
The St. Wenceslaus Church of Moravia was located near the cemetery until it was moved to the Village of Yesteryear in Owatonna. The date of the move is remembered as 1962.
The church was built in 1891 and closed in 1952. Burials are still conducted at the cemetery.
When the Saco church was moved to the Village of Yesteryear, the cemetery remained.
Eventually, the Sacred Heart Cemetery Board in Owatonna was given the responsibility of the Saco Cemetery.
Over the years, a few burials have taken place. A flag pole was donated and normal upkeep and mowing was done.
In 2021, Gary and Sharon Fisher and family offered a generous donation to erect a new Crucifix within the cemetery. With the approval of the Sacred Heart Cemetery Board, the project moved forward.
Gary and Sharon Fisher live in what once was the town of Saco. Their son Corey James, who died at one day old, is buried at the Saco cemetery.
Legacy Monuments, owned by Leon and Lori Bohlman, of Owatonna determined the best location for the new Crucifix and the granite cross was ordered.
The corpus (body of the crucified Jesus) was taken from the old wooden Crucifix and now hangs from the newly erected 12 foot, 3 inch Crucifix.
The Bohlmans donated their commission to the project. Additional funds came from donations to the Saco Cemetery and from the Sacred Heart Cemetery Board treasury.
The cemetery does have lots available for purchase.