2021-2022 Bishop O'Gorman Catholic Schools Annual Report

Fr. Charles (Chuck) Cimpl grew up in Tabor, a small town near Yankton, SD. His grandfather immigrated from the former Czechoslovakia when he was 17 years old with a dream and a sausage recipe. He started selling sausages in small locations, eventually consolidating those into Cimpl Meats in Yankton, SD. The plant employed approximately 130 people and Fr. Cimpl worked in the plant during the summer while he was in college. His uncle Laddie Cimpl, who is also his Godfather, was president of the packing plant and wondered if Chuck would one day be interested in being part of the Cimpl Packing Plant family. As it turned out, Chuck had other interests.

Fr. Cimpl attended a small Catholic grade school in Tabor that went from first to eighth grade and was taught by the Benedictine Sisters from Yankton. “At that time, I really wanted to be in politics or a senator,” said Fr. Cimpl.

In 1965, Fr. Cimpl attended the World’s Fair in New York with his family. He met a number of children from various states and around the world. He appreciated his Catholic education in grade school and he and his parents were hoping he could attend a Catholic high school. Upon return, Fr. Cimpl’s family considered O’Gorman High School and, unfortunately, learned they were not accepting additional enrollments. He soon learned he could join the minor seminary, located in the current O’Gorman Junior High building. There were a number of eight graders from around the Diocese attending an informational session on the seminary. Fr. Cimpl was soon discouraged when Fr. Al Krzyzopolski and Msgr. Andraschko asked, “How many of you like tv, radio or girls?” in an attempt to dissuade those who truly didn’t want to attend seminary. Fr. Cimpl returned to Tabor that same night to explore other options.

Fr. Cimpl’s family had a cousin attending Notre Dame High School in Mitchell, which was run by the Presentation Sisters. He was interested in attending school there, but no dorms were available. A priest friend of the family put a housing ad in the bulletin for Fr. Cimpl. A parishioner offered her basement apartment to Fr. Cimpl and he moved in.

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