Over the years, Sister Rosile served on the board of directors for several health care institutions, including St. Francis Hospital, St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa and St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. She continued her education with the Franciscan Sisters at St. Marys High School, graduating in 1953. Sewing was one of her hidden talents. Her family ties grew deep and strong and continued through the years with Hageman family reunions almost every other year. Her life will be celebrated with a Mass of Resurrection Friday, September 23. In 2009, Sister Frances moved to St. Rose Convent until her health required her to move to Villa St. Joseph in late 2019. In Memoriam - ssj-tosf Sister Clara Mae had asked her parents about going to the convent when she was a freshman, but they suggested she complete high school first. One never knew what mischief she would get into next. My high school experience has been better having had her as a teacher. When a new school was being built at David, the community took the opportunity to recognize Sister Mary Myrons significant contribution to the area by establishing a Sister Mary Myron Remedial Reading Room. For six years she was the chapel tour guide coordinator at the convent. When her health began to deteriorate, she moved to South Hill Village in Spokane. As most little girls are inclined to feel when first coming in contact with a real, honest-to-goodness Sister, I felt that I wanted to become a Sister, too, she wrote in her autobiography. Sister Ladonna was interested in helping others in any way she could, whether training someone to work in the business office, caring for students in the residence halls, teaching someone about bookkeeping, organizing the annual neighborhood picnic on the Viterbo campus or working toward improving a neighborhood with new street lights and a neighborhood garden. Just last week, she shared with one of the sisters that she said a prayer every night during the pandemic before she went to bed and she would sing a lullaby to the earth and to all of its inhabitants that they would sleep well and safe. In addition to her great devotion to education, prayer and spirituality, her family held a very dear spot in her heart. Born in. After high school, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse. Her musical productions were outstanding. About St. Paul Elder Services - St. Paul Elder Services, Inc. She later returned to her baptismal name. The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany is a congregation of Catholic women religious and their Associates serving the poor and marginalized of Bolivia, Brazil, Jamaica, Mozambique and the United States for over 160 years. The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago are happy to announce the 13th annual Swinging for the Sisters Golf Outing will be on June 15th at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois. In 2010, due to her deteriorating health, she chose to move to St. Rose Convent and in 2014 made her home at Villa St. Joseph. Our dear Sister Marilyn died May 24 at Mother of Perpetual Help Residence in St Louis. Sister Agnes learned about the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration from her aunt, Sister Anna (Bernadita) Gehling. read more Celebrating the Life of Sr. Marcy Romine O.S.F. With her graduate degree in hand, she began teaching Spanish at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Illinois. She lived simply, joyfully and with great love and care for everyone. Yermo High School in El Paso. During her time in Canton, Sister Dorothy Ann became a companion to Sister Thea Bowman, an FSPA who gained prominence as a teacher, musician and civil rights activist in the African American community. Sister Michon Desmond, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89, died on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Sister Pat professed her first vows in 1947. Your gifts connect you to our ongoing ministries and honor Sisters who are your former teachers, friends or family . She provided pastoral care at Bethany St. Joseph Nursing Home in La Crosse from 1983 to 1987. Sister Rosile Pernsteiner, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 98, died Friday, July 10, 2020, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Growing up she would often work with her father in his woodshop in the basement--thus her love and skill at woodworking. For the next 11 years, she ministered as a volunteer and driver at Villa St. Joseph. She was the eldest of six children. Please wait a few minutes and try again. will officiate and burial will be in the convent cemetery. There she met the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA). Coming to us from Dayton, Ohio, Sister Loraine entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1950 and professed perpetual vows in 1955. By the end of her freshman year, she responded to this call. Friars Minor. She served for 67 years as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. Her profession of vows was made on August 12, 1959, and final profession on August 10, 1964. We remember Sister Therese Francis Waldowski, January 25, 1928 - March 2, 2022. Sister Helen served her FSPA community as Director of Nursing at Villa St. Joseph 1964 to 1965, prior to completing her Masters Degree in nursing education at Columbia University in New York City, New York from 1965 to 1967. Sister Lois Lobdell, FSPA, 97, died Thursday, August 27, 2020, of natural causes at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. For a year she was a home health nurse in Claxton, Georgia. By August, 1955, Sister Dorothy was beginning her high school at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the sixty-first year of her religious profession. Sister Helen taught one year at St. Marys School, Marathon, Wisconsinbefore devoting the rest of her life to the healthcare profession. At that time she retired to St. Rose Convent where her ministry was that of prayer and hospitality. She was in the seventieth year of her religious profession. AUBURN Starting in the 2021-22 academic year, two Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist will join the staff at Saint Dominic Academy as teachers while also overseeing and enhancing campus . After completing elementary grades and two years of high school at St. Marys School in Durand, Lois expressed a desire to enter the convent, but her father resisted. She was actively involved in the National Catholic Development Conference during her tenure as Director of Development. As boarders, Sister Margaret and Helen got home one weekend a month. Sister Obituaries | Franciscan Sisters o From there she moved back to Arizona and worked as a medical support staff member and Initial Loss Reporting (ILR) claims associate for State Farm Insurance. Sister Betty taught high school chemistry and mathematics for 26 years in Wisconsin (Prairie du Chien and Stevens Point), Oregon (Salem), Iowa (Bellevue, Carroll, and West Point) and Texas (El Paso). In the eighth grade, Sister Pat started playing trumpet in the high school band and later moved on to playing the trombone and baritone. 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. At its peak, the motherhouse was home to 700 nuns. After high school, Sister Helen completed coursework at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing and served as an RN at St. Marys Hospital, Sparta, Wisconsin. 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]). Donna Jean Weber was born on April 25, 1930, to Reynold and Laura (Asher) Weber in Eau Galle, Wisconsin. During that time, she completed a Master of Arts in Music Education from DePaul University, Chicago. The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota, is a Roman Catholic congregation of religious women of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. During her time with the Salvation Army, she earned a masters degree in guidance and counseling from Whitworth College in Spokane. After leaving the classroom in 1976, she was on staff at Northern Province House in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin with responsibility for food service and maintenance. While at Viterbo, she was asked to create furnishings for the expanded St. Francis Chapel, situated below Mary of the Angels Chapel at St. Rose Convent. In 1933, she was received into the novitiate of the FSPA and was given the name, Sister Mary Myron. So on September 1, 1946, she entered St. Rose Convent. She loved exploring new opportunities and places. She never missed an opportunity to share the good things in life with others. Her work in Minneapolis was evidence of her compassionate and helpful nature. The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary | Rhode Island Catholic When she could no longer travel, she visited with family by phone, even when she was near death, relishing especially visits with her only surviving sibling, her sister Betsy. Martina Mary was born the fourth oldest of 13 children, seven sons and six daughters, to Henry and Helen (Julich) Stork on January 30, 1916 on a farm near Breda, Iowa. It was a happy home filled with conversation and joyous laughter. For anyone unable to join the live stream, an archive of our funeral celebrations is available here. During her junior year she began to think of entering religious life. She received by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Jan 18, 2018 | Franciscan Sisters News, Obituaries. Community members, family, and friends remember Sister Lois as a quiet, cheerful person, always ready to lend a helping hand. One of her girlfriends brought up the subject of convent life. In 2001 Sister Geralyn retired from teaching but remained in the parish as sacristan and organist, roles she continued until she retired to Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 2017. She made first profession of vows on August 12, 1950, and final profession on August 9, 1956. It is grounded in the sacredness of all life . Growing up on a farm she was exposed to a variety of experiences and learned responsibility early. Sister Ladonna made her home at St. Rose Convent in 2016. Sister Rosile taught eight years in middle schools in Wisconsin (Wausau, Plum City and Ashland) and Iowa (Luxemburg and Festina) and one year at DePadua High School in Ashland, Wisconsin. No doubt her deep faith played a role in her healing and ability to move on. Many remember the fun time Sister Jean provided through her Annual Doctor Sister Dean Jean Golf Scramble at the end of each school year at Viterbo University. Sister Gertrude made first profession of vows on August 12, 1948 and final vows on August 9, 1954. Province St. Elizabeth | Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Province St. Elizabeth Our History The American Province began in poverty with many hardships. After receiving a bachelors degree in English from Viterbo College (University), La Crosse, she went on for a masters degree in English from Marquette University, Milwaukee. In 2000, another transition occurred in her life when she moved to volunteer in the finance office and kitchen at St. Rose Convent. Sister Joan served her sisters as a homemaker for 17 years, working in the bakery at St. Rose Convent for two of those years and at convent homes in Rozellville and Dodgeville, Wisconsin; Bellevue, West Point and Breda, Iowa and Provo, Utah. From 1990 until 2008, she was pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Parish, Wauzeka, Wisconsin. 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. Her mother was quite musical and made sure Kathleen took piano lessons. She later went back to her baptismal name. He never refused and the family would drive out to a shady, cool spot in the country. And we have lots of LOL moments during our convo together. She was then appointed Congregational Treasurer of the order, a position she held from 1964 to 1983. Her devotion for the missions remained with her long after she left the South. Community members, family, colleagues and friends remember Sister Joan as a happy, joy-filled person, always ready for any invitation to explore something new. While at Viterbo, Sister Jean volunteered at the federal prison at Oxford, Wisconsin as a retreat leader, mentor and friend to inmates. Obituaries - Western New York Catholic Sister Margaret Ann entered St. Rose Convent in 1945. After receiving a bachelors degree in Human Services at Grandview College in Des Moines, she went on to earn a Clinical Pastoral Education certificate at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. She later returned to her baptismal name. Oftentimes, she would spend days in the home of someone dying of HIV/AIDS or care for them in her home if they couldnt afford another place or another place was not available. Bernardine Franciscan Sisters: Our Story In 1894 Mother Veronica Grzedowska and three companions left their cloister in Poland to respond to the educational needs of children of immigrant coal miners in Northeastern Pennsylvania. One evening as the family gathered on the porch, next to a very full rain barrel, her father teasingly picked her up and saying he was going to put her headfirst into the barrel. Upon her retirement, the executive director of David School, Danny Greene, summed up her impact, Sister Mary Myron has truly been a gift from God. Community members, family and friends remember Sister Agnes as having a heart of gold for the sisters she served as a homemaker and for the children whose lives she touched in Mississippi and Texas. In 2013, she moved to Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse and in 2022 back to St. Rose Convent. Even after retiring to St. Rose Convent in 2000, Sister Gertrude assisted in the wellness center, accompanying sisters to doctor appointments and helping as needed. 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. Born on November 26, 1925, in Buckman, Minnesota, Sister Margaret was the seventh of 12 children of John and Pauline (Beka) Schmolke. The eldest of 13 children, she remembers growing up on the farm with her younger brothers and sisters. She was in the seventy-first year of her religious profession. News reports show that, as of July 16, in addition to the 13 Felicians in Livonia, at least 19 other sisters have died in the United States, including a Felician sister at the order's convent in Lodi, New Jersey; six sisters from two communities at a shared convent outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and three Maryknoll Sisters in Ossining, New York . Even though she experienced permanent injury from a jeep accident while in Africa, she did not let that stop her from being of service to others. Later, after finishing her third year of high school, she asked again. Focus on reducing and eliminating single-use plastic drink bottles (water, soda, tea, coffee, etc.). Thereafter, sheserved as Healthcare Province Representative on the General Board, Coordinator of Formation at Healthcare House of Studies, and Provincial of FSPA Healthcare Province from 1972 to 1979. However, Sister Margaret did not enter the Benedictines nor the Little Falls Franciscans. Before retiring to St. Rose Convent in 2006, Sister Margaret also volunteered at Immaculate Conception School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She made her first vows on August 12, 1951. Sister Jeans ministry as an FSPA centered around her love of teaching and St. Francis and St. Clare. Sister Pat continued to minister in Elroy as a private music teacher and parish volunteer until moving to Villa St. Joseph in 2008. 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. A highlight of her life took place in 1995, when she was invited to participate in a pilgrimage to Rome, where she had the privilege of meeting Pope St. John Paul II. From 1997 to 2007, she continued providing support services to elderly in Guttenberg through volunteer work at River Living Center and St. Marys Parish. She served as principal in both Carroll (St. Lawrence School) and Calmar. Born on March 18, 1926, near St. Lucas, Iowa, Sister Joselda was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Schmitt) Hageman. Sister Bernadette Milada Prochaska was born on June 15, 1932 in Montfort (Castle Rock), Wisconsin to Frank and Victoria (Roh) Prochaska, where she grew up with her nine brothers and sisters. Again she received a negative response, but a week later her father gave his approval. Sister Joselda served her Sisters as a homemaker and housekeeper from 1948 to 1992 in Durand,Boscobel and La Crosse in Wisconsin and Coon Rapids, Iowa, with the last 15 years at her home parish in St. Lucas, where she also was able to assist her elderly mother. 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). Born in Bellevue, Iowa on Nov. 7, 1927, Gertrude Florence was the daughter of Cornelius Vincent and Teresa Mary (Keuter) Daugherty. She was eager to go to school with her sisters. Sister Valerie Lemansky Obituary - Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter She kept up on the news of the world and the Church. She loved her family and had made an extensive family tree. At that time, she studied occupational therapy in Des Moines, and served as activity director at Willis Adult Day Care. . After suffering a mild stroke in 2014, she moved to St. Rose Convent. After a years sabbatical in 1998 at the Tau Center in Winona, Sister Michon moved to St. Rose Convent where she served as assistant administrator for the sisters. After graduating high school from Holy Names Academy, Joanne wanted to become a sister, but her parents objected. From 1964 to1967, she served as Marian Hall housekeeper at Viterbo College (University). While she spent 18 years in parish ministry, she would not be able to say she loved it more or less than her years teaching. Three years later cancer prevented her from performing all of her duties there but she continued on as an assistant to the new parish administrator. bottom of page Sister Karen Crawford . In 1977, she was appointed Director of Financial Affairsand later Business Managerat the institute, where she served until 1987, simultaneously earning there a Master of Arts degree in Theology, with a concentration in spirituality. One could always count on Sister Betty for a welcoming smile and hearty laugh. After a year, she resigned again from the Salvation Army and formally entered the congregation and made first vows in 1986 as an FSPA. In her first year in community, she was Co-Director for the La Crosse Diocese Hispanic Ministry. 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. She was in the68thyear of her religious profession. In 1989, with the close of FSPA regions, Sister Evelyn was called to serve as assistant treasurer for the FSPA congregation in La Crosse. She loved her years teaching. Her family was very important to her. 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. In 1990, Sister Karolyne moved to Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin where she helped with hospitality and served as cabin manager. On Oct. 18, 1926, natural gas was discovered on the property which was used to heat the buildings. She ministered in schools in La Crosse, Plum City, Allouez and Stratford, Wisconsin; in Carroll, Calmar and Hiawatha, Iowa; in Bozeman, Montana; in Spokane, Washington and in David, Kentucky. A community of Franciscan women religious based in Clinton, Iowa with a mission of active nonviolence and peacemaking. Obituaries We thank God for the lives of our Sisters who have moved on to Eternal Life and their impact throughout their many years of service within the vowed religious life. From 1984 to 1989 she ministered to the elderly in Las Vegas and was instrumental in developing Pastoral Care Outreach at Sunrise Hospital. In 1977 her ministry took her to St. Joseph School in Prescott, Wisconsin, as a first-grade teacher, choir director and organist. Obituaries - Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) During high school, she participated in various sports and clubs. Helen again pushed the idea of a vocation out of her mind until December 1944 when she was assigned to the Sisters ward at the hospital. Music was an integral part of the Sheridan family life. Celebrate With Us! She always felt that her best friend was the Blessed Mother who accepted her for the person she was called to be. Franciscan Sister Elaine Urbanek passes away December 27, 2022, at the age of 99 years. She then moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2012. Sister Dorothy was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1959 and was given the name Sister Dorothy Ann. Sister Dorothy Agnes was born on October 8, 1941 in Auburndale, Wisconsin to Joseph and Martha (Bayerl) Kundinger. She and her siblings enjoyed the ride to school in their carriage in the spring and fall and on the bobsled in the winter. Pat attended St. Gabriels Grade School and St. Marys Academy both staffed by the Notre Dame Sisters. She loved her family and didnt miss a family reunion as long as her health permitted. There she met the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) at St. Marys Grade School. She later went back to her baptismal name. Two weeks later, she arrived in La Crosse to start her new life. Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Archives - The Dialog Her interest in becoming a sister was fostered by relatives in the FSPA congregation and her love of nature. 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 pronounced first vows on August 12, 1953 and made final profession on August 11, 1959. Now 89 years old, they were born in Brooklyn 15 minutes apart. At her baptism, she was given the name Marie Magdalen. Sister Karolyne Henrietta was born on December 31, 1932, in Seaforth, Minnesota to Charles and Helen (Kolander) Rohlik. After a years sabbatical at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa, Sister Karolyne stayed on as gardener and helped in the kitchen until 2005. From 1958 to 1964 she served theFSPA community in the business office at St. Rose Convent. Eventually, Sister Lydia outgrew her do things differently attitude and two years later she, too, joined FSPA. Read more. There she and her two brothers and three sisters grew up, helping with chores when they were not attending school at Sac County School. Sister Patricia began her ministry in the congregation as an elementary school teacher in Spokane, Washington (St. Ann, St. Augustine and St. Xavier Schools). For the next 20 years she ministered as an art teacher in high schools in Wisconsin (Superior, Green Bay, and at Viterbo College), as an art and religion teacher in Wausau, Wisconsin and Miles City, Montana. After high school, she helped on the farm, as two of her brothers were in the service. She served on numerous boards, including St. Marys Hospital (Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare, Sparta, Wisconsin), St. Anthonys Foundation in Carroll, Iowa, St. Francis Hospital (Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse) and Viterbo University in La Crosse. She could usually be found volunteering some place at Villa St. Joseph helping other sisters. She was also a great entertainer, knowing how to make her audience laugh. In 1998, Sister Margaret Ann officially retired from teaching, but continued to volunteer at the parish and school at Our Lady of the Lake in Ashland. Franciscan Sisters of Mary | Compassionate Care of Creation She loved her family and especially enjoyed visiting them and receiving visits from them. Sister Ladonna Kassmeyer, FSPA, 84, died Monday night, August 3, 2020, of a massive heart attack at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She grew up in Guttenberg with her three brothers and two sisters, helping her father at the Kuempel & Lake Hardware Store. In 2017, Sister Gertrude moved to Villa St. Joseph Community members, family and friends will remember Sister Gertrude as quiet, cheerful, and always having a smile and kind word for others. Agnes Marcella was born to Anthony and Agnes (Gehling) Wernimont on January 20, 1932 in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Sister Sandras primary ministry prior to joining FSPA was serving as a midwife in Tanzania and Kenya. 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. When the weather was favorable, they walked three miles home, but always rode to school with their father or one of their neighbors. In her spare time she became very involved in woodcarving, a hobby she took with her to St. Rose Convent in 2008 when she retired there. She always had a funny story to tell. From 1994 to 1998, Sister Joanne served as co-director of the FSPA Clare Retreat Center in Spokane. Her father taught her the importance of community involvement and environmental stewardship. Sister Kathleen Kenkel, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 91, died Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Obituaries Archives Wheaton Franciscans Her love of those from other cultures enriched her and endeared her to many at home and abroad. In eighth grade she shared her call with her parents, who were very supportive.