It is grounded in the sacredness of all life . 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. She was in the seventieth year of her religious profession. Sister Mary Clare Bernet, O.S.F., and Sister Mary Robert Bernet, O.S.F., are Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. Two weeks later, she arrived in La Crosse to start her new life. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School there, taught by the FSPA. She also taught in Blackfoot, Idaho and St. Paul, Iowa. From1953 to 1954, she served as cashier at Sacred Heart Hospital, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and from 1954 to 1958 at St. Francis Hospital (MCHS-FH), La Crosse. Obituaries Franciscan Sister Anna Ahern dies at 91 Share this story Sister Anna Louise Aherne, O.S.F. While in La Crosse, she served at St. Rose Convent for two years, Villa St. Joseph for six years and as dietitian at St. Joseph Nursing Home for three years. SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS - Home "We, the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are women of prayer, committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier. A second sister, Kathy, was born following the familys return to the States. Family, friends and community members remember Sister Mary Myron as a woman of prayer. At the end of her junior year, she informed her parents that she felt called to religious life. She was born in Rochester, NY to Jeremiah J. and Mary O'Connor Collins. She later returned to her baptismal name. Sister Helen Keating, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 93, died of cancer on May 14, 2020 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Sister Margaret Ann ministered as an elementary school teacher for 47 years throughout Wisconsin (Eau Galle, Mondovi, Odanah, Ashland, Eau Claire, Edgar, Athens, Superior and Ashland), as well as Blackfoot, Idaho and Milford, Iowa. Sister Sandra was born to Carroll and June (Nicholson) DeMann on October 12, 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the eldest of four children. Sister FrancesYanisch, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 90, died on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin after a battle with cancer. There she met the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) and the seed of her religious vocation was planted. 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. After a year in support services in El Paso, Texas, she was called to serve as baker at St. Rose Convent. When she returned home she again asked about becoming a sister. On August 15, 1939, after graduating from eighth grade, she fulfilled that desire. 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. 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. As a Consolata sister, Sister Sandra received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Royal Lancaster School of Nursing in London, England and became a certified midwife through the Whipps-Cross School of Midwifery, also in London. After high school graduation, she felt a call to join the FSPA. She was instrumental in expanding student life programming since, at the time, the college was rapidly growing its enrollment of lay students. She was eager to go to school with her sisters. Growing up she would often work with her father in his woodshop in the basement--thus her love and skill at woodworking. In her later years, she found comfort and gratitude in coloring and more importantly gifting her friends with her finished pictures. Her life of prayer, service and love for others has absolutely represented the Spirit of St. Francis. In 2005, she retired to St. Rose Convent and later moved to Villa St. Joseph. After Sister Theas death, Sister Dorothy Ann remained in Canton as a volunteer hospice worker, ministering to people with HIV/AIDS. Born in Chicago Heights, Illinois in 1917, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1930 and. She was head baker at Villa St. Joseph 1967 to 1976. Circumstances prevented her from following her hearts greatest desire, to enter religious life at the time of her graduation. Carmel and West Bend) Washington (Spokane) and Wisconsin (Eau Galle and Halder) for 42 years. However, Sister Margaret did not enter the Benedictines nor the Little Falls Franciscans. After earning a bachelors degree in music education from Viterbo College (University), La Crosse, Sister Pat taught high school music for 21 years in Ashland (De Padua) and La Crosse (Aquinas) in Wisconsin and Carroll (Kuemper) in Iowa. Born in. Sister Rita Marie Bechel, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 97, died Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, Wisconsin. There she attended St. James School and Aquinas High School, both staffed by FSPA. During her junior year she began to think of entering religious life. She pronounced first vows on August 12, 1953 and made final profession on August 11, 1959. Then she became the employee health director at St. Francis Medical Center (MCHS-FH) until 1991. His grip weakened and she later spoke of this as her second baptism. Separate from the happy memories of growing up on the farm, there was the time a cyclone picked up the barn and flattened it. In 1977 her ministry took her to St. Joseph School in Prescott, Wisconsin, as a first-grade teacher, choir director and organist. We, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, witness the Gospel in joy and peace, committed to prayer, service, and care for all creation. Sister Jeans most recent ministry was that of freelance writer and presenter. A community of Franciscan women religious based in Clinton, Iowa with a mission of active nonviolence and peacemaking. She continued her education with the Franciscan Sisters at St. Marys High School, graduating in 1953. 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. There, she met the Notre Dame Sisters and her interest in religious life began. Come enjoy the day with a round of golf and support the Sisters' ministries. As Franciscans, we experience God's presence in all creatures, and we extend our care and concern for all our brothers and sisters in our common home. Two years later she moved to Camden, Mississippi, where she taught for six years. In 1993, Sister Pat returned to Tulsa as pastoral minister at St. Marys Parish until returning to St. Rose Convent in 1996, where she served in pastoral care to sisters retired there. She made her profession of vows on August 12, 1946 and final vows on August 9, 1952. Upon completion of a bachelors degree in elementary education from Viterbo College (University), Sister Lois entered the teaching profession. Born on October 12, 1930 in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, Frances Lorraine was the youngest of six children of Fredrick and Catharine Estella (Murphy) Yanisch. She completed her high school at St. Rose High School in La Crosse. She enjoyed attending St. Marys School in Festina. Manage Volunteer Settings. The South Bend, Indiana, native joined the Franciscans after serving in the Military Police of both the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. Family and community members remember Sister Pat for her quick Irish witalways with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. After a years sabbatical, Sister Kathleen volunteered at Villa Maria Retreat Center in Frontenac, Minnesota,then returned tothe Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse. Sister Agnes loved growing up on a farm and being outdoors; her family grew vegetables and raised chickens to sell. She kept close contact with family, former students and friends via letters and phone calls, even visiting her adopted Greene family in Texas in her 100s. Soon there were three more children growing up on the small family farm in Big River. Obituaries Bernardine Franciscan Sister Laetitia Okoniewski, a graduate of St. Hedwig School. She was in the seventy-fifth year of her religious profession. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Convent Chapel. She was actively involved in the National Catholic Development Conference during her tenure as Director of Development. Then, making a change in her career, Sister Agnes worked with abused children at Casa de Esperanza de Los Ninos, Houston, Texas, for five years and one year at Catholic Charities in El Paso, Texas, in emergency services. Sister Clara Mae Kuempel, FSPA, 90, died on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. There she met the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) at St. Marys Grade School. The eldest of 13 children, she remembers growing up on the farm with her younger brothers and sisters. Sister Sandras primary ministry prior to joining FSPA was serving as a midwife in Tanzania and Kenya. Her early devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary stayed with her all through her life. After completing licensed practical training at St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa, she served as a LPN for 28 years at Villa St. Joseph, St. Francis Hospital (MCHS-FH) and St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, and Sacred Heart Hospital, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue. Follow Felician Sisters. Her life will be celebrated with a Mass of Resurrection Friday, September 23. by Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help | Jul 21, 2022 | Franciscan Sisters News, LCWR, Obituaries, SISTER CAROLYN MRUZ, OSF Community members, family and friends remember Sister Patricia as someone with a heart for the disadvantaged. On October 27, 2021, Sister Gale Bednarek, our resident Scripture scholar, left us for the fullness of Gods light and love. Her favorite teacher (a Sister of St. Francis of Clinton, Iowa) had a deep devotion to Mary. When the FSPA congregation opened its spirituality centers, the facilities benefited from her excellent furniture upholstery work a hobby she continuedfor years. She was always exploring the latest spiritual book or philosophy. Please wait a few minutes and try again. Sister Lydia preferred physical outdoor work, like herding cattle and pumping water, over housework. 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 addition to her great devotion to education, prayer and spirituality, her family held a very dear spot in her heart. Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Celebrating 70 years of God's Goodness and presence in Papua New Guinea The 16th of September 2019, a special day to remember with gratitude and joyful praise for God's goodness reflected in the lives of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters [ . ] After her father died, her mother remarried, expanding her sibling count from seven to 16. 1. She ministered in the field of education, oftenalso serving as an organist and choir director. She then returned to Tulsa, where she again ministered to the elderly at St. Marys Parish and served as campus minister at Tulsa University. 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. She later went back to her baptismal name. Growing up on the farm, Kathleen and her seven brothers and sisters had many opportunities to learn and do everything from feeding the chickens, shocking grain, herding cattle, picking corn to multiple kitchen tasks. After graduating Ladycliff College with a BA in History, she earned a Masters Degree from Seton Hall University in Reading and an MS . She always felt that her best friend was the Blessed Mother who accepted her for the person she was called to be. Sister Pats love for music and keen musical ability served as the basis for much of Sister Pats ministry. Sister Jeremiah (Theresa) Collins, OSF January 27, 2022 Sister Jeremiah (Theresa) Collins embraced Sister death on January 27, 2022 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY. The day after her 21st birthday she was in a serious car accident. But for one week, March 8-14, we shine the spotlight on . Eventually, Sister Lydia outgrew her do things differently attitude and two years later she, too, joined FSPA. She kept learning and teaching wherever she was. Sister Rosewyn Meyer, FSPA was there and spoke many times with Helen. She was a quiet person who had an avid interest in world affairs. To Love is to Give - March. She taught for 33 years in elementary schools in Iowa, Washington, Oregon and 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. She was in her 37th year of religious profession. The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis is an evangelical community of Franciscan women called to observe with loving and generous hearts the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to The Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. From 2001 to 2009, while traveling back and forth to Cameroon, Sister Anita lived in the formation house of the congregation where, as she put it, she moved from a ministry of doing to the ministry of being. In 2009, she was invited to continue the ministry of being at Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin. After a two year renewal program at Little Falls, Minn., Sister Joan began her ministry as receptionist, gardener and decorator at Villa St. Joseph. She was an excellent teacher who encouraged and inspired her students. She was in the fifty-seventh year of her religious profession. 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. Her father taught her the importance of community involvement and environmental stewardship. What a thrill it was for Florence to play for Christmas Midnight Mass and Easter Sunday High Mass. Community members, family and friends, remember Sister Jean as someone that always loved life in any of its aspects. She lived simply, joyfully and with great love and care for everyone. 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. Her mission life there shaped her concept of community and service. She then began working as a home healthcare aid for Olmsted County Public Health Department. Sister Patricia Keating, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 91, died of natural causes on July 24, 2020 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She began her teaching career with middle grades in Carroll and Hills, Iowa and at St. Marys Ridge, Wisconsin before moving into high school teaching. During World War II her parents moved to Seattle. During her time in Bellevue, she also took care of her aging parents. Friends had always been important to Sister Jean. Always interested in finding out what she could do to make life better for others, she was quick to recognize the goodness in others and reinforce it. She retired to St. Rose Convent in 2016where she continued her organ ministry and began volunteering as receptionist at Catholic Charities. Upon entering the FSPA community, she shared a religious vocation with an aunt and uncle who were both Benedictines. Sister Joan was received into the FSPA novitiate on August 12, 1957, and was given the name Sister Vernamae. She was worried about being the eldest in her class, but upon arrival Catherine learned that half of the class was older than she was. 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. As soon as their dad came home from work, the question was put to him. She later went back to her baptismal name. Our dear Sister Jovita went to her rest in the arms of our loving God on February 16. Her musical productions were outstanding. Her work with young people was recognized by the Davenport Diocese, where she was invited to become the Diocesan Director of the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, a position she held from 1981 to 1989. 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. Sister Geralyn earned a bachelors degree in elementary education from Viterbo College with a minor in music. Her first profession of vows was made on August 12, 1955. Sister Lourdine Bielawski, 90, of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Third Order Regular of St. Francis, died Feb. 3 at St. Joseph Villa, Reading, where she had resided since 2012. She continued her ministry serving part-time as a healthcare provider for another ten years for Comfort Home Health Care, also in Rochester. 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. Posted June 15, 2022 Sister Anna Louise Aherne, O.S.F. Sister Ladonna made her home at St. Rose Convent in 2016. Elementary school years were spent at Kendall Public School. And we have lots of LOL moments during our convo together. 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. At that time, Sister Joanne was living at Rockwood Lane retirement facility where she volunteered as a Bible study facilitator and home visitor. She then attended Marycliff High School in Spokane. Obituary Sr. Marcy Romine O.S.F. She was in the seventy-fourth year of her religious profession.