Retired priest who served archdiocese for 33 years found dead near his home in Little Falls

Father Ralph Huar, 82, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was found dead under a backhoe at a construction site Oct. 4 near his home in Little Falls.

A city street was being reconstructed where Father Huar’s body was found at about 5:45 p.m., at the intersection of 11th Street and Sixth Avenue Northeast, adjacent to where he lived, said Little Falls City Administrator Jon Rodermacher.

Morrison County Sheriff’s Officer Josh Burgardt said his office was investigating Father Huar’s death.

Father Huar retired in 2014 after serving 11 years at St. George in Long Lake. He also served 14 years at Sacred Heart in Rush City, from 1988 to 2002. From 2002 to 2003 he was pastor of St. Joseph in Miesville, St. Mary in New Trier and St. Mathias in Hampton.

Ordained in 1981, he first ministered at St. Pascal Baylon in St. Paul until 1983, when he served four years at St. John the Evangelist in Little Canada, then four months at St. Edward in Bloomington before being assigned to Sacred Heart.

Funeral services for Father Huar were pending.