Omaha priest killed in Branson traffic accident

The Omaha Archdiocese has announced that a priest has died in a traffic accident while vacationing in Branson, Missouri.

The archdiocese chancellor, Tim McNeil, says the Rev. Francis “Frank” Partusch, 68, was struck by a car and killed. A Branson police news release says the accident occurred a little before 5 p.m. Monday on Missouri Highway 76 on the west side of Branson. The accident is being investigated.

Archbishop George Lucas says Partusch’s death “is a tragic loss for his family, parishioners and his brother priests.”

Partusch had been pastor of St. Bridget-St. Rose Parish in south Omaha. He’d previously served at other Omaha parishes and at St. Michael’s in South Sioux City.