Obituaries
For family and friends unable to attend in-person funeral celebrations, FSPA offers live streaming. For anyone unable to join the live stream, a recording of the sister's funeral will be added to their obituary below.
Sister Shirley Wagner
Shirley Ann Wagner was born at home in Halder, Wisconsin, to Edward and Celia (Michels) Wagner on Feb. 23, 1930. She attended a rural public school in the area for her first five years, until her family moved to Marathon, Wisconsin, where she attended St. Mary’s School. She started playing in the public high school band in seventh grade. She then moved back into the public school for a year before entering St. Rose High School in 1945. Shirley was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1948, and was given the name Sister Theodosia. She later returned to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on August 12, 1950, and final profession on August 9, 1956.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from Viterbo College and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Colorado (with a minor in guidance and counseling), Sister Shirley served as a music teacher in elementary schools in Wisconsin (Wausau and La Crosse) and Iowa (Bellevue) for six years before moving to the high school level. She taught at Aquinas (La Crosse), Kuemper (Carroll, Iowa), Cathedral and Superior Public (Superior, Wisconsin), Newman (Wausau, Wisconsin), Marquette (Bellevue, Wisconsin), St. Mary’s (Guttenberg, Iowa) and finally three years at Mt. Scenario College in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. For 30 years, she taught and conducted high school, college and community symphonies. She even conducted the New York Philharmonic Orchestra when the conductor, her former instructor, was away. After retiring from a life of conducting music, Sister Shirley began a second career as a pastoral minister in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and Amery, Wisconsin, before moving to Medford, Wisconsin. She served as Pastoral Associate at Holy Rosary Parish in Medford for 11 years. In 1999, Sister Shirley retired in Medford and became deeply involved in intarsia woodworking. She moved to St. Rose Convent in 2022.
A La Crosse Tribune article, written by Mike Tighe in 2019, documents Sister Shirley's artistic awakening: "Sister Shirley began woodworking after she was inspired by a photo in a craft magazine of an intarsia wolf. She saw the photo and thought, ‘I can do that!’ Not long after inspiration struck, Sister Shirley purchased a $1,200 Hegner saw and taught herself the centuries-old woodcraft of intarsia. Intarsia is a technique that gained popularity in the 12th century and is a form of wood inlaying to create a mosaic-like picture with an illusion of depth. Sister Shirley uses a variety of natural woods from forests around the world to create these unique pieces."
Sister Shirley is remembered by family, community members and friends as a person who cared deeply for others, yet didn’t mince words when she had something to say. She loved life and did all she could to live it to the fullest. She encouraged others to do the same through her prayer and invited them to join her in whatever activity she decided to tackle. Sister Shirley will be remembered for her beautiful intarsia work. She produced more than 700 commissioned works, displayed in five countries, which range in size from a 20-foot rendition of the "Last Supper" to minuscule dollhouse accessories.
Sister Mary Ann Gaul, FSPA
Mary Ann Gaul was born in Luxemburg, Iowa, on Dec. 4, 1931, to Joseph L. and Eleanora (Maiers) Gaul. Mary Ann grew up with her two brothers and three sisters on the family farm. She attended elementary school at Holy Trinity School in Luxemburg and high school at St. Boniface School in New Vienna, Iowa, both staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Mary Ann entered St. Rose Convent after high school. She was received into the novitiate in 1950 and given the name Sister Camilla. She later went back to her baptismal name. Sister Mary Ann made her first profession of vows as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration on Aug. 12, 1952.
Sister Mary Ann began her ministry in FSPA as a homemaker at community homes in Wisconsin (Rozellville, La Crosse, Loyal, Marathon and Superior) and Iowa (Festina, Mt. Carmel, Spencer and Carroll). In 1975, she moved to housekeeping at Viterbo College. After a month in that position, she was asked to take an administrative role in the copy center at the college. In 1981, Sister Mary Ann moved into the business world, first in Bloomington, Minnesota, then in Inver Grove, Minnesota. After several business courses, certifications and degrees, Sister Mary Ann began working for Xerox as a graphic artist and product coordinator. Before leaving Xerox in 1991, she served as shift lead, supervisor and training administrator.
From 1991 to 1997, Sister Mary Ann was called on to use her administrative skills as assistant business and plant manager at St. Rose Convent. After a short sabbatical, Sister Mary Ann moved back to the Twin Cities for three years to serve as seamstress and marketing supervisor for Sew What and Retirement Enterprises, as the assistant manager for a 69-unit apartment complex and as a freelance seamstress. From 2000 to 2018, Sister Mary Ann volunteered her skills as a seamstress and plant manager at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse. During that time, Sister Mary Ann was also responsible for the FSPA cottage at Lake Neshonoc in West Salem, Wisconsin. In 2018, she officially retired at Villa St. Joseph but was often called upon for her managerial expertise. Sister Mary Ann moved to St. Rose Convent in 2023.
Family, friends and community members remember Sister Mary Ann as very knowledgeable—from fixing furnaces, reading blueprints, sewing, managing buildings and operating copy machines and presses. She even got her bus driver’s license to help transport school students. She was detail-oriented and organized, which, at times, was a challenge for her when others were not. One never had to second-guess what Sister Mary Ann’s thoughts were, as she said it like it was! When St. Rose Convent was set for renovation at the turn of the century, she organized a major auction sale in the convent yard to clear the attic. Sister Mary Ann was also compassionate and kind, as noted in the many ways she assisted others and lent a listening ear. Her laughter could be heard for miles over a good joke or something she found humorous.
Sister Nancy Lafferty, FSPA
Watch Sister Nancy's celebration of life.
Nancy graduated from St. Joseph Grade School in Carroll in 1949. She then attended St. Angela Academy where she graduated in 1953. Then, Nancy attended Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wisconsin. During her junior year of college, she decided to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse. She was received into the novitiate and given the name Sister Cathrina. She later went back to her baptismal name. On Aug. 12, 1958 she made her first profession of vows.
Sister Nancy excelled in academics, both as a student and a professional. She graduated from Viterbo College with a BA in sociology and minors in history and English. She then went on to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. where she earned a master's degree in sociology. A few years later, Sister Nancy went to Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where she earned another master's degree, this one in social work. That was quickly followed by a PhD from Washington University in interdisciplinary studies: social work, sociology and education.
Sister Nancy started her teaching career in secondary schools in La Crosse (Aquinas), New Vienna, Iowa (St. Boniface) and Carroll, Iowa (Kuemper). For 25 years, “Dr. Lafferty,” as she was known by her college and university students, taught at Viterbo University, Washington University, University of St. Louis, St. Ambrose University, Morningside College, Briarcliff College, Western Iowa Tech Community College and Wayne State College. For one year, she served as principal at Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, Mississippi. From 1995 to 2001, Sister Nancy served as the director of the ESL Bilingual Education program at Cathedral Parish in Sioux City. She then served as director for the Dorothy Day Retreat Center in Sioux City until 2006. At that time, she moved to La Crosse where she volunteered in various ministries at the Franciscan Spirituality Center until 2015 when she retired to St. Rose Convent.
Community members, friends, family and colleagues remember Sister Nancy as someone continuously interested in helping others. There was always a twinkle in her eye. Quiet in her demeanor, she had a wide array of peace and justice interests. She had a special place in her heart for the Vietnamese and Hispanic communities, especially in Sioux City. Sister Nancy was arrested several times for protesting against the Vietnam War and U.S. military spending. Two of her arrests were for praying the Prayer of St. Francis at the Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois and at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska. Sister Nancy also participated in several educational mission trips teaching in Taiwan, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, Tanzania, Mexico and Nicaragua.
Sister Fran Morrissey, FSPA
Watch Sister Fran's celebration of life.
When there were nine children, her father bought them all uniforms, including the baby, since they had enough for a baseball team. Growing up in a large Catholic family, the rosary and Mass were important daily rituals. Fran remembered getting a penny each week for being good and helping with chores. She and her siblings would pool their money together to buy their parents Christmas presents.
Fran entered the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1957 and was given the name Sister Mary Malachy. She later went back to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1959. Sister Fran’s early ministry centered on serving the community of sisters where she lived as a homemaker. She ministered in various convents in Iowa (Spencer, West Bend, Carroll, Cedar Rapids, Milford) and Wisconsin (Stanley, Menomonie, Marathon) for 25 years. During that time, she occasionally taught music and served as the school librarian.
From 1985 to1987, she attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington and participated in Credo, a spiritual renewal program. Sister Fran returned to the Midwest and ministered as a seamstress and driver at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse, a position she held for 25 years. In 2012, she retired to St. Rose Convent where she continued to volunteer, using her sewing skills and praying. She moved back to Villa St. Joseph in 2019 when her health began to fail. In 2022, she returned to St. Rose Convent.
Community members, family and friends, remember Sister Fran as always happy and ready with a good story. Her smile was as big as her heart. She could be counted on to help with any project, regardless of its magnitude. As a practical joker, she was constantly pulling tricks on someone. She loved a good party and participating in any craft project or activity while she was able. And her exquisite sewing kept the gift shops at Villa St. Joseph and St. Rose Convent well-supplied with lovely items.
Sister Marcella Steffes, FSPA
Watch Sister Marcella's celebration of life.
Sister Marcella Steffes, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 97, died on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-fifth year of her religious profession. Marcella Ann was born on Jan. 1, 1927, to John A and Anna (Halbur) Steffes in Roselle, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm, just outside of Roselle. Marcella Ann was one of 13 children, three of whom died within six months of their birth (one being baby Marcella, for whom she was named). She, herself, was quite sick at age four, but as she said, “The Lord spared me for something special.”
She attended Holy Angels Elementary School in Roselle and wanted to enter the St. Angela Academy in Carroll, Iowa after elementary school, but her mother needed her help at home with her seven younger brothers and sisters. A common family recreation was gathering together to play music and sing. They even had their “own little orchestra,” with Marcella directing the group of six while playing the violin. After staying home from school for four years, she began thinking more seriously about her future — pursuing her interest in music or becoming a sister. At that time, she didn’t know that her life’s ministry would include both. She entered St. Angela Academy for three years, then joined the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and completed her senior year at St. Rose High School in La Crosse. She was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1948, and given the name Sister Ignatia. She later returned to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1950 and her final profession on Aug. 9, 1956.
Having earned a bachelor’s degree in music education with applied cello from Viterbo College in La Crosse, a master’s degree in music theory from Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and a master of fine arts degree in cello from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Sister Marcella served as a music teacher and offered private lessons in elementary schools in Wisconsin (La Crosse, Menomonie and Fountain City) for 16 years. From 1970 to 2010 she was on the Viterbo College music department faculty. As part of Viterbo’s Preparatory School of the Arts, Sister Marcella was known as an outstanding Suzuki cello and violin teacher. For 34 years she played cello with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal cellist for several of those years.
Community members, family, colleagues and students remember Sister Marcella as a dedicated musician, both as a teacher and a performer. Over the years she frequently played the cello for community celebrations at St. Rose Convent. Her students often came back to visit her to share their musical experiences. Aside from her music, Sister Marcella was keenly aware of justice matters, signing many petitions and writing hundreds of letters.
Sister Eileen Neumann, FSPA
Watch Sister Eileen's celebration of life.
Having completed grade and high school in Panama, Eileen planned to study medical laboratory technology in the States. On July 11, 1947, her family boarded the SS Panama and arrived in New York five days later. Eileen learned about Viterbo College when they drove to Wisconsin to visit relatives in La Crosse. After exploring the possibility, her and her parents determined it was just what they were looking for in a school. Eileen stayed in La Crosse, found a part-time job at St. Francis Hospital and began her studies. One of her catechism teachers, who was also a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, had such an influence on her that she entered St. Rose Convent the following August.
Sister Eileen was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1949, and was given the name Sister Mary Dominic. She later returned to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1951, and her final profession on Aug. 9, 1957. Sister Eileen received a B.S. in Medical Technology from Viterbo College and a Certificate in Cytotechnology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Most of her ministry was as a medical technologist and cytotechnologist in Wisconsin, Idaho, Iowa, Arizona, Louisiana, South Dakota and Washington. In 1983, after a year at the University of Seattle in their CORPUS program, Sister Eileen served in prison/jail ministry in Las Vegas, Nevada (1983-85), San Francisco, California (1985-87) and Palo Alto, California (1994-1996). In 1996, she moved to Spokane, Washington where she assisted at Clare Spirituality Center and served as the master gardener. She made her home at St. Rose Convent in 2009 where she ministered in prayer and hospitality.
Community members, family and friends will remember Sister Eileen as someone who was always interested in the marginalized. She could keep people entertained with stories from her time as a lab tech and in jail ministry, always seeing both the positive and funny sides of situations. Sister Eileen could often be found working on a jigsaw puzzle, and her Panamanian upbringing was evident in the practice of having Tabasco sauce as a regular part of her diet. Her love for the community, both in La Crosse and out west, was evident in her conversations with others and her love of Jesus.
Sister Maris Kerwin, FSPA
Watch Sister Maris' celebration of life.
Sister Maris Kerwin, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89, died on Oct. 25, 2024, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the sixty-fifth year of her religious profession. Sister Maris was born on July 3, 1935, to Thomas and Lillian (Foley) Kerwin in Carroll, Iowa. At her baptism, she was given the name Anna Marie but was known as Ann. She, her sister and her brother attended St. Joseph School in Carroll. When she graduated from eighth grade, she crossed the street to attend St. Angela Academy, staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. There her interest in science and mathematics began—along with plays and proms. Her summers were spent detasseling corn (a loyal Iowan) and working at the Country Club. Each year, the students at the academy held a retreat. Ann started to ask the question, “What is my vocation?”—never thinking religious life would be the answer for her. She graduated from the academy with a science award and began nursing training at St. Anthony Hospital Nursing School in Carroll, where she was active in the sodality, vice-president of her class and on the student council. During her junior year, she attended the Summer School of Catholic Action in Chicago. At that point, she realized that God was calling her to something special.
After graduating with a nursing degree from St. Anthony’s Nursing School, she entered St. Rose Convent and was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1957. She was given the name Sister Maris and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1959. While at St. Rose Convent, Sister Maris attended Viterbo College and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in nursing. She then began her long career in the field of healthcare. She ministered in a variety of nursing positions in FSPA-sponsored hospitals including St. Francis Medical Center [Mayo Clinic Health System] in La Crosse, St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta, Wisconsin, St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho and St. Anthony Regional Hospital. She also spent time in Salt Lake City, Utah where she was introduced to intensive care units—a specialization that she helped establish in the Idaho Falls hospital.
In the spring of 1984, her life changed from health care to sister care as she was elected FSPA vice-president. Her ten years in congregational leadership provided her the opportunity to not only become more deeply aware of the life and work of the FSPA but also allowed her to touch the lives and challenges of society, the Church and religious women everywhere. After a year’s sabbatical in 1994 at Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center in New Mexico, along with participation in a Franciscan program at the Tau Center in Winona, Minnesota, she was ready for another challenge; she was appointed administrator of Villa St. Joseph, FSPA’s skilled-care retirement home. She continued in that position for 13 years until she “retired” to St. Rose Convent and became the FSPA Heritage Curator from 2008 to 2022, at which time she retired to a ministry of prayer and hospitality.
Community members, family and friends remember Sister Maris as kind, quiet and always involved with others—and very proud of her Irish heritage. Many of the relationships she made over the years at her various ministries stayed strong. At St. Rose Convent, everyone knew Sister Maris, as she was interested in getting to know every employee, as well as each sister. She always had an idea to share on how to make something better for someone else. She continued to serve in healthcare for years. After retiring, she continued as an active and contributing board member at St. Francis Hospital (MCHS) and St. Anthony Hospital, even serving as chair of the board. Sister Maris received numerous awards in recognition of her service to the healthcare field, some of which included the Spheres of Influence Award from the St. Francis Foundation, the RSVP President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from RSVP and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Catholic Health Association.
Sister Rosalia Bauer, FSPA
Watch Sister Rosalia's celebration of life.
In 1947 she followed her aunt, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Ritalina Danzinger, and entered St. Rose Convent. Rosalia was received into the novitiate in 1948 and given the name Sister Mary Ambrose. She later went back to her baptismal name and made her profession of first vows on Aug. 12, 1950. Always wanting to be a nurse, Sister Rosalia became an RN, graduating from St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa; then going on to receive a BSN from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa; an MSN from the University of Washington, Seattle and eventually became a family nurse practitioner through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
Sister Rosalia ministered as a nurse in nine states and Thailand, in large and small hospitals, nursing homes, home care, university clinics, county clinics, public health centers, a migrant camp and a refugee camp. She saw nursing as “a doorknob allowing entrance into people’s homes and hearts.” Her varied experiences, especially with the migrants in Virginia and refugees in Thailand, gave her a deep appreciation of cultural differences, the miracles of medicine and the resilience of people. In 1992, a new passion was born for Sister Rosalia when she was invited to become part of the pro-life movement through Pro-Life Wisconsin. She continued her pro-life commitment for the rest of her years, even into retirement.
Sister Rosalia is remembered for her determination and love of life. She was a great storyteller. Her eyes would light up when talking about her ministry in the migrant camp in Virginia or with the refugees in Thailand. She was a pro-life activist to the very core and was passionate about sharing conversations that supported all forms of life, particularly that of the unborn. She loved her FSPA community and her family, and participated in as many activities as she could.