Obituaries Franciscan Sister Anna Ahern dies at 91 Share this story Sister Anna Louise Aherne, O.S.F. She served as a primary school teacher for eight years in Iowa (Mallard and Dedham) and Wisconsin (St. Joseph Ridge, Eau Galle, Ashland and Edgar). Our dear Sister Loraine went to her rest in the arms of our loving God on August 19. The 70th Jubilee group included Sr. Mary . She made her first vows on August 12, 1951. Sister Rita was born on August 12, 1928 in Early, Iowa to Elizabeth (Faber) and Leo Jansen. During that time, she completed a Master of Arts in Music Education from DePaul University, Chicago. After graduating Ladycliff College with a BA in History, she earned a Masters Degree from Seton Hall University in Reading and an MS . Sister Pat loved life and lived it to the fullest. After 13 years as a classroom teacher, Sister Patricia took courses at the Center for Pastoral Ministry in Kansas City and then moved into parish ministry in Davenport, Iowa, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Kansas City, Missouri. At her baptism, she was named after her paternal aunt, Sister Lydia Wendl. Born on March 18, 1926, near St. Lucas, Iowa, Sister Joselda was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Schmitt) Hageman. Sister Lydia was received into the Novitiate on August 12, 1940, and was given her own name, Sister Lydia. On August 12, 1961, she made her first profession of vows. She made first profession of vows in 1956 and final vows in 1962. Sister Judith, a sister for 69 years, died February 14, 2018 at Mary, Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis. In 2007, she moved to Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, ministering as a volunteer to the community until 2019. While with FSPA, Sister Sandra ministered to the elderly in St. Paul for a couple years before moving to La Crosse, where she became the Justice and Peace Director for the FSPA. The children would often ask their mother for a picnic supper on hot summer days. Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, submitted the following from "the earliest materials in our archives." "During the early 1860s, Father Pamfilo had taken under his care four Sisters in the Congregation of the Holy Cross at St. Mary (Notre Dame), Indiana. From 1963 to 1968, Sister Bernadette ministered as superintendent of Catholic schools on the island of Guam, returning there at the request of the Bishop in 1971 for another five years. This experience in religious education led her to a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program and further theological study. Sister Jean, her sister Cindy and her brother Steve were all born in Chuquicamata. She attributed her good health to the daily walks/runs to the hermitages located on the Villa property. As soon as their dad came home from work, the question was put to him. Sister Betty ministered in the field of education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from Viterbo College (University) and a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame. Sister Sandra was born to Carroll and June (Nicholson) DeMann on October 12, 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the eldest of four children. She received a bachelors degree in business education with a minor in English from Viterbo College (University), then continued in the field of business at Mount St. Mary College in Milwaukee, College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, Indiana University and Notre Dame University. Franciscan Sisters have served at St. Benedict's for 80 years. Her early devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary stayed with her all through her life. Her mother was a homemaker, but as Sister Joanne would say, also an activist, who was involved in many civic and social justice activities as she raised Joanne and her two brothers. Mother Joan invited her to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. With a twinkle in her eye, she was always involved in any mischief that took place. For recreation, Scrabble was her passion, along with a good card game now and then. During high school, Florence participated in orchestra, pep band and choir, several clubs and was editor of the school paper for two years. Subsequently, she left the classroom and served as dental assistant for 11 years in St. Paul, Minnesota. Franciscan Sisters provide brief update on activities during pandemic By KATE DAY SAGER Olean Times Herald Oct 30, 2020 Franciscan Sisters of Allegany who reside at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. She retired to St. Rose Convent in 2016where she continued her organ ministry and began volunteering as receptionist at Catholic Charities. Franciscan Sister News Franciscan News and Events. She taught primary grades in Wisconsin (Auburndale, Big River, Halder), Idaho (Blackfoot) and Iowa (Muscatine, Harper, Halbur, St. Lucas, Spencer, Bellevue, Mt. Her mission life there shaped her concept of community and service. September 9,1941 July 1, 2022, by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Oct 28, 2021 | Franciscan Sisters News, Obituaries. With her graduate degree in hand, she began teaching Spanish at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Illinois. What a thrill it was for Florence to play for Christmas Midnight Mass and Easter Sunday High Mass. Sister Kathy learned from her parents early in life to be grateful for any kindness or gift, no matter how small. by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Jul 1, 2020 | Franciscan Sisters News, Obituaries. Manage Volunteer Settings. After entering the FSPA congregation, Sister Joanne continued her ministry as a family counselor, both at Salvation Army and at Love Church Services Network in Spokane. Sister Rita was born on August 12, 1928 in Early, Iowa to Elizabeth (Faber) and Leo Jansen. When Sister Clara Mae entered the novitiate of the FSPA she was given the name Bernadine. Come enjoy the day with a round of golf and support the Sisters' ministries. She started taking piano lessons in sixth grade and music became her major interest. Sister Lydia preferred physical outdoor work, like herding cattle and pumping water, over housework. Sister Kathleen taught at the high school level for the next 11 years in Cathedral (Superior, Wisconsin), Kuemper (Carroll, Iowa), Aquinas (La Crosse), Marquette (West Point, Iowa) and Marquette (Bellevue, Iowa). As one parishioner said, We have been blessed to have Sister Geralyn in our parish. Sister Geralyn had a great devotion to Capuchin Father Solanus Casey from Prescott, whose cause is in consideration for canonization. When Helen came to a decision, Sister Rosewyn spoke with Mother Engelberta and convinced her to allow Helen to enter St. Rose Convent in January instead of waiting until August. She continued there as a sacristan until 2015 when her health declined. Born in. From there, she felt called to a new ministry, one that would challenge her inner strength and resilience. She was a truly humble, prayerful woman of faith and courage whose spirit always radiated joy and peace. She attended grammar and high school in [] Community members, family and friends remember Sister Patricia as someone with a heart for the disadvantaged. We are the United States Region of an international congregation responding to the needs of the times since our founding by Mother Clara Pfaender in 1860. Community members, family, and friends remember Sister Lois as a quiet, cheerful person, always ready to lend a helping hand. She started out in the primary grades and quickly moved to middle and junior high, eventually serving as principal for seven years while at Holy Family School, Ashland and Sacred Heart School, Eau Claire. Our community was founded in central Minnesota in 1891 by sixteen women who had previously been members of another Franciscan congregation. Meet one of our Sisters responding to the needs of our community and the world. From childhood Sister Jean dabbled in arts and crafts from woodworking to stained glass to photography to jewelry making. Her brothers and sisters teased her that she would miss gardening, playing baseball and driving a car, but the call persisted. After recovering, she participated in a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program in Rochester, Minnesotaand then served as assistant coordinator at St. Rose Convent. Sister Donna served as an elementary teacher for 14 years in schools in Washington (St. Augustines, Spokane [1952-1955 and 1963-1964]) and Wisconsin (Sacred Heart, Ashland [1950-1952]), La Crosse (St. Wenceslaus [1956-1963] and Blessed Sacrament [1964-1965]). In 1979, Sister Dorothy Ann moved to Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, Mississippi where she taught junior high for 10 years. Community members, family and friends remember Sister Rita Marie as a naturally curious person who asked a lot of questions and read many books on a variety of topics. She then began a year of study at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where she had the opportunity for a three-month study tour in Israel. At her baptism, she was given the name Marie Magdalen. In 1997, Sister Cecilienne retired to Cedar Rapids where she taught ESL classes and private music lessons until moving to St. Rose Convent in 2009. Stay informed on the latest news from the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa. She was very fond of Pope Francis and talked often about his vision and teaching. Sister Jean and her sisters (and often her brother) spent manyvacations together exploring their family roots in Ireland, or just hanging out by the ocean. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in English from Viterbo College (University) and an MS in Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. There is a picture of the Crucified Christ and beneath it is the following statement: Behold the book of the Chosen, behold the school of . They also remember her for her insightful questions and reflections, challenging others to think beyond the obvious and see the presence and action of God in our entire universe. She later went back to her baptismal name. Two years later on Christmas Eve again, a change took place in the Beskar family when her father announced that he was marrying Leona Buberl. In 1977, she received a Fulbright scholarship to India, an adventure, she said, that enhanced my Asian Studies classes. After a years internship in the Student Development Department at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Sister Michon was appointed Dean of Students at Viterbo College. She then began working as a home healthcare aid for Olmsted County Public Health Department. In October, 1968, Sister Sandra professed her first vows with the Consolata Missionary Sisters of Turin, Italy. read more . Sister Kathleen Theresa was born to Joseph and Antoinette (Blum) Kenkel on September 17, 1929, on the family farm in Earling, Iowa. She didnt let her physical infirmities bring her spirits down. Most recently, Sister Sandra had been a regular volunteer at Ryan House, an extension of St. Joseph Hospital, and at St. Vincent De Paul in Phoenix. Elementary school years were spent at Kendall Public School. Helen and her cousin Art were constant companions until he left for Maryhurst in the Philippines to become a Brother of Mary. The family later settled in Menomonie, Wisconsin where Donna was in the first freshman class at the new St. Joseph High School. She moved to Rochester, Minnesota and began taking classes as a human service technician at Rochester Area Technical Institute. She traveled across the country with Sister Thea, until Sister Thea eventually succumbed to cancer in 1990. Obituary - Sr. Miriam Sitarz OSF Sister Miriam, 100, a sister for 84 years, died June 3, 2017 at Mary, Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis. The Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, Minnesota, a Roman Catholic congregation for women religious, was founded in 1877 by Mother Mary Alfred Moes. Florence Catherine was born on September 26, 1923, to Frank and Dorothy (Tritz) Goetz in Bellevue, Iowa. Her older brother, Father Joel, OFM, and her sibling, Sister Thomasine, OSF, were great influences in her choice. She made first profession of vows on August 12, 1944, and final profession on August 9, 1950. At the completion of her term she moved to Sun City, Arizona, where she served as parish administrator of St. John Vianney Parish. More. From 1974 to 1977, Sister Ladonna served as treasurer for the FSPA Central Province in Hiawatha, Iowa. Sister Karolyne began her ministry as a homemaker at various congregational homes and institutions, primarily in Wisconsin and Washington, before branching out into other areas. Learn About Us. Sister Elizabeth Anne was born on September 12, 1934 in Boyd, Wisconsin to Leo and Frances (Schesel) Shakal. In 1995, Sister Pat became Director of Religious Education (DRE) at St. Joseph Parish (Kendall) and continued to serve as DRE and parish minister in Wisconsin at St. John the Baptist Parish (Wilton) and St. Patrick Parish (Elroy) until retiring five years later. Her grandparents in California came to help her father, who by that time had three children below the age of four. Whether the need is for short- or long-term, our caring, trained personnel are here to help. It is here that her spirit was touched by the Franciscan by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Aug 30, 2018 | Franciscan Sisters News, Obituaries. Discover how we live our charism each day. She loved biking and walking anything to be out in Gods creation. She was privileged to attend Father Solanus beautification ceremony in Detroit. She had taken several business subjects in high school, so she did secretarial work for three years before entering St. Rose Convent in La Crosse on July 29, 1941. After retiring, while teaching ESL, she began learning Chinese in order to better communicate with her students. Sister Ladonna made her home at St. Rose Convent in 2016. Remembering Sr. Mary Elizabeth Glueckstein Wheaton Franciscans October 3, 2022 She saw the bread loaf lovingly placed on the guests cabin tables as a way of sharing Eucharist. She was in the sixty-eighth year of her religious profession. These four congregations originated from the same Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . Sister Bernadette Prochaska, FSPA, 88, died Wednesday morning, January 6, 2021 of pancreatic cancer at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, Wisconsin. In eighth grade she shared her call with her parents, who were very supportive. She attended Holy Family Grade School and DePadua High School. Having a sister (SisterMildred Weber, FSPA) and several other relatives in the FSPA community sparked the idea of a vocation in Donna. Her love of the Eucharist carried over to her dedication in taking Communion to shut-ins. Sister Gertrude served her FSPA community as a homemaker in convent homes in Iowa, Washington and Wisconsin from 1948 to 1965. In 2016 she moved to St. Rose Convent and she became a regular volunteer at the Franciscan Hospitality House. Sister Jean has been selected to be honored with the Viterbo University Pope St. John XXIII Award, the highest non-academic award bestowed by the university, in May 2020. by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Sep 13, 2022 | Franciscan Sisters News, LCWR, Obituaries, Uncategorized. Throughout her multiple ministries, she had a can do attitude. She continued these activities until her health began to fail. The Franciscans are celebrating their 150th anniversary. During that time, she earned a Master of Arts in Theology from St. Catherine University in St. Paul and did pastoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago. During this time, the call to religious life was reawakened in her. Sister Ladonna moved back into congregational ministry as FSPA Director of Development from 1987 to 2012, when she became Congregational Secretary and Director of Planned Giving. She could often be seen at table long after most people had left the dining room. In 1989, she was elected Regional Assistant for the FSPA Eastern Region (now Marywood Spirituality Center) in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin; four years later, she was elected Regional Leader.