Obituaries
Sister Dorothy (Mary Donald) Wenzel, FSPA
Sister Dorothy (Mary Donald) Wenzel, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89 years, died on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in her sixty-ninth year of religious profession.
S. Dorothy was born on September 18, 1929 to Louis and Anna (Frodel) Wenzel in Stratford, Wisconsin. In 1947, Dorothy entered the novitiate at St. Rose Convent and was given the name Sister Mary Donald. (Later she returned to her baptismal name.) She made her first profession of vows on August 12, 1949.
Sister Dorothy received a Bachelor of Science in Education with a minor in English from Viterbo College (University). She began her ministry as a primary school teacher in schools in Washington (Spokane) and Wisconsin (Boscobel, Durand, Marathon, Plum City, Menomonie, Stanley), including several years at Trinity School and St. John’s School in La Crosse. After thirty-three years in education, Sister Dorothy became the director of religious education for three years in Thorp, Wis. and pastoral care assistant at Villa St. Joseph for another three years, before taking time to enter a Clinical Pastoral Education program in Willmar, Minn. Sister Dorothy served as chaplain at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, Minn. from 1990 to 1993. She then moved into pastoral ministry at St. Raphael’s parish in Crystal, Minn. until she retired to St. Rose Convent in 2002. In 2011, Sister Dorothy moved to Villa St. Joseph.
Sister Dorothy is survived by her religious community, her brother Donald, Stratford and her sisters Loretta Tritz and Alice Fisher, both from Marshfield, and Sister Margaret Wenzel, FSPA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Walter, Raymond, Alfred and Leo, and her sisters: Agnes Meyer and Marie Grassl.
Friend may call after 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 27 when her body will be brought to St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 28, at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Homes is assisting with the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
Sister Marie (Jacqueline) Weller, FSPA
Sister Marie Weller, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 101, died on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in her eighty-first year of religious profession.
Sister Marie was born on December 24, 1916 to Matthew and Alice (Mueller) Weller in Spokane, Washington. Marie entered St. Rose Convent on Aug. 5, 1933. Sister Marie started her ministry as an elementary teacher in various Wisconsin locales: Cazenovia, Marathon, Sherrill, Menomonie. and Blessed Sacrament School in La Crosse from 1936 to 1951. In 1951, Sister Marie started teaching home economics in high schools in Spokane, Wash. Ashland, Wisconsin, Carroll, Iowa, Salem Oregon and Bozeman, Montana. During the 1972 to 1973 academic year, she taught home economics at Viterbo College (University). Sister Marie received a bachelor of science degree from Viterbo College (University) in 1950 with a major in Education and a double minor in Art and English. In 1957, she received an master of science degree in Home Economics from Stout State University. In 1977, Sister Marie formally retired from teaching in the classroom and began volunteering as a seamstress and home-care provider in Spokane and Salem, Washington until 1990 when she moved to St. Rose Convent and continued her creative work providing crafts for the St. Rose Gift Shop and decorating around the convent. In 2013, she moved to Villa St. Joseph. On Dec. 24, 2016, she celebrated her one hundredth birthday at Villa St. Joseph with the planting of a Fiesta Maple tree.
Sister Marie is survived by her religious community and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Eugene and her three sisters: Sister Marguerite (Elaine) FSPA, Cecilia and Lorraine.
Since Sister Marie requested a natural burial, her wake will be Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 4 p.m. at Villa St. Joseph. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 23 in the Villa chapel. Burial will follow immediately at Villa St. Joseph. There will be a memorial service for Sister Marie on Tuesday, August 28 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose Convent, with sharing following. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Phyllis Ann Hackman, FSPA
Sister Phyllis Ann Hackman, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventieth year of her religious profession.
Sister Phyllis Ann was born on April 2, 1923, to Edward and Anna (Schmitt) Hackman in
Sister Phyllis Ann is survived by her religious community; two sisters: Lucille Kruse, Ossian, Iowa and Phyllis (Duane) Einwalter, Fort Atkinson; two brothers: Paul (Betty) Hackman, Calmar, Iowa and Norbert (Mary) Hackman, Fort Atkinson and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Othmar and her sisters Sister Marcella Hackman, FSPA, Irene Shatek and Rita Shatek.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, May 21 at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 22, at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will take place in the family plot at Festina. Dickinson and Hugeback Funeral Homes are handling the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration,
Sister Eudora Navarre, FSPA
Sister Eudora Navarre, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 87 died on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in her sixty-first year of religious profession.
Margaret Mary Navarre was born on August 11, 1930, to Benedict Joseph and Cecilia Margaret (Stilp) Navarre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1954 and was given the name Sister Eudora. She professed her first vows on August 12, 1957.
After profession, Sister Eudora began working at Viterbo College (University) in the library and mail room. For several years, she worked in the Viterbo bookstore, until it was taken over by an outside book company. Sister Eudora then returned to work in the Viterbo library and mail room. During that time, Sister Eudora earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Viterbo College (University). She then took courses in library science at Viterbo and the University of Wisconsin—La Crosse and received library certification. With her library certificate in hand, Sister Eudora became librarian at St. Anthony of the Lake grade school in Pewaukee, Wisconsin from August 1979 until June 1994. After retiring from St. Anthony library, Sister Eudora moved to La Crosse and became librarian at St. Rose Convent. During her tenure as St. Rose librarian, the library was moved three times, due to renovations at the convent. From 2000 until 2005, Sister Eudora worked in the archive department of St. Rose. In 2005, she formally retired at St. Rose Convent until 2010, when she moved to Villa St. Joseph.
Sister Eudora is survived by her Franciscan Community and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Eugene.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 16, at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Schumacher-Kisch Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Sister Mary (Mary Emmanuel) Bates, FSPA
Sister Mary Bates, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 90, died on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the sixty-eighth year of her religious profession.
Sister Mary was born on March 9, 1928, to Harry and Rose (Hartung) Bates in Eau Galle, Wisconsin. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1947 and made profession of vows in 1950. Entering the field of education, Sister Mary served as an elementary teacher for 14 years in schools in Washington and Wisconsin, and as a high school Spanish teacher for 12 years at Kuemper in Carroll, Iowa, Aquinas in La Crosse, and in Fridley, Minn. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo College (University) in history with a minor in education and English, then went on to earn a master’s degree from St. Louis University in Spanish. Sister Mary also taught English as a second language in El Salvador and Mexico during the summers. From 1977-1984 she was a teacher and Director of Religious Education (DRE) at St. James Parish in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 1984, Sister Mary moved to Hopkins, Minnesota. where she was DRE at St. Joseph Parish for 14 years before retiring in 1998. She continued to reside in Hopkins and volunteered in several places. Sister Mary retired to St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, in 2009.
Sister Mary is survived by her Franciscan Community; three sisters: Esther (Cyril) Bauer, Menomonie, Wis., Angeline (Laverne) Brantner, Eau Galle, Virginia (Roman) Schuh, Plymouth, Minn.; two brothers: Carl Bates, Springfield, Minn. and Alfred Bates, Columbia Heights, Minn., and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Rosanne Clark, and her brothers Joseph, Arthur, Lawrence, Bernard and Frederick.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Sister Drusilla Trussoni, FSPA
Sister Drusilla Trussoni, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 102, died Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the eighty-first year of religious profession.
Sister Drusilla ministered as a homemaker for eighteen years in convent homes and hospitals in Iowa, Idaho, Washington and Wisconsin. She worked as a nurse aid at Villa St. Joseph and St. Joseph Home, La Crosse. After earning a licensed practical nurse degree, Sister Drusilla served two years at St. Francis Hospital (Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare) and seven years at Villa St. Joseph as an LPN. For a few years, she cared for her aging parents and continued working at St. Francis Hospital as an LPN. After her parents’ death, she received training in pastoral care work and began ministering at Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare in the pastoral care department for another sixteen years. In 1987 she retired, but continued to volunteer in the ICU waiting room, at bloodmobiles and as Eucharistic Minister at the hospital. She moved to St. Rose Convent in 2008. In 2012 Sister Drusilla went to Villa St. Joseph.
Sister Drusilla is survived by her Franciscan community, one sister, Alberta (Berdie) Clark, La Crosse, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, seven brothers: Joseph, John, David, Albert, Anthony, James and Frank and eight sisters: Margaret Zielke, Barbara DeFlorian, Martha Zielke, Madlen Zink, Delia Finley, Lorena McKinnon, Christina Robare, and Lucille Fanello.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, when her body will be brought to St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 10 at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting with the funeral arrangements.
Sister Clare (Joseph Clare) Billmyer, FSPA
Sister Clare Billmyer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 88, died Friday, April 20, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in her sixty-seventh year of religious profession.
Sister Clare was born on August 27, 1929, the daughter of Louis and Alma Mary (Nolta) Billmyer, in Cresco, Iowa. She entered St. Rose Convent and made first profession of vows as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration on August 12, 1951.
Serving as a homemaker Sister Clare ministered in convent homes in Iowa and Wisconsin for twenty-seven years including eight years at the Southern Province Home on Avon St. in La Crosse. From 1978-2000 Sister Clare provided home care through St. Francis/Bethany Home Care, Unity Home Health Care and Gundersen Lutheran Home Care in La Crosse. After retiring, Sister Clare continued ministering as a volunteer at Villa St. Joseph until 2011.
Sister Clare is survived by her Franciscan community and several nieces and nephews. Her parents and both brothers, Louis (Bud) and Leo preceded her in death.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 24, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will take place that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25, at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in La Crosse.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Homes is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Sister Alice (Johnetta) McMullin, FSPA
Sister Alice McMullin, FSPA, 98, died Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the seventy-ninth year of her religious profession.
Sister Alice was born to John and Sophia (Tomczak) McMullin on November 1, 1919, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1934. With a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in mathematics from Viterbo College (University) and a master’s degree in educational administration from Notre Dame University, Ind., Sister Alice began her career in education. She ministered for twenty-nine years as a teacher and principal at various middle and high schools in Wisconsin (Mosinee, Platteville, Colby, Boyd, Allouez and Loyal). From 1968-1985 she served as principal at St. Jude’s School, Guam. For the next eight years (1985-1993), she served the FSPA Eastern Region, first as Regional Secretary, next as Regional Assistant and then as Eastern Regional Leader. She then ministered as administrator of St. Rose Convent, a volunteer at Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center (Arbor Vitae, Wis.) and Franciscan Spirituality Center (La Crosse). Sister Alice retired at St. Rose Convent in 2002 and served as funeral coordinator at St. Rose until she retired to Villa St. Joseph, the FSPA retirement home in La Crosse, in 2010.
Sister Alice is survived by her Franciscan community, three sisters: Sister Rose Therese, FSPA at Villa St. Joseph, Geraldine Grazzini of Bloomington, Minn. and Jean Shannon of Minneapolis, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: James and Thomas and her sisters: Mary Olson, Margaret Levendusky and Helen Pearson.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 5 in Mary of the Angels Chapel. She will be buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Sister Louise Rahe, FSPA
Sister Louise Rahe, 99, died Friday, March 30, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the seventy-seventh year of her religious profession.
Born on March 1, 1919, on a farm near New Vienna, Iowa, Sister Louise was the fourth child of John and Clara (Willenborg) Rahe. When Louise was six months old, the family moved into town. She attended St. Boniface School and frequently helped the Sisters with sacristy work, weeding flower gardens and singing for early church services. Louise’s father, who could play any musical instrument and had a beautiful tenor voice, provided a good portion of the entertainment at parties and gatherings. Her mother had the gift of storytelling and a sharp wit. Together they provided a home where honesty, diligence, gentleness, kindness, compassion and a good sense of humor were prominently on display. The year after graduation Louise worked briefly at Clarke College and then did housework for Mrs. Graff. There were eight girls in Louise’s class in high school and three of them entered religious life: one went to the Good Shepherd Order and Louise and Leonilla Wilgenbusch (Sister Grace Marie) entered St. Rose Convent.
Louise was received into the novitiate on August 9, 1938, and was given the name Sister Freda. (Later she returned to her baptismal name.) She pronounced first vows on August 12, 1941, and made final profession on August 9, 1947.
Upon entering the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with minors in Education and History from Viterbo College (University). She later earned a Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Detroit.
Sister Louise ministered in the field of education for over 50 years, mostly in Wisconsin. For 26 years Sister Louise served as an elementary teacher in schools in Iowa and Wisconsin including seven years at St. Mary’s, Big River, Wis. (1950-1957) and six years at St. Wenceslaus, La Crosse (1961-1967). From 1967-1977 she served as Director of Education for the Diocese of La Crosse. Following that decade, Sister Louise was principal and teacher at St. Pius X School, La Crosse for 15 years (1977 to 1992). After completing her professional career, she continued to volunteer in many capacities, eventually moving to St. Rose Convent in 1997. In her retirement there, she served ten years as receptionist and 13 years as a chapel tour guide. In 2016, Sister Louise moved to Villa St. Joseph.
Community members, family and friends remember Sister Louise for her contagious smile and sharp wit. She was a true teacher in all she did, always helping someone learn how to do something better. Like her parents, she loved music and storytelling. She would often entertain her visitors and sisters at the table with tales filled with humor from real life teaching situations.
Sister Louise is survived by her Franciscan community and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Arnold and Frank and her sisters: Alice Noel, Evelyn Close and Rose Agnes Maloney.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, April 2, 2018, when her body will be brought to St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Joan (Mary Damian) Weigel, FSPA
Sister Joan Weigel, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died Friday, March 23, 2018 at Mayo Clinic Health System—Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, Wis. She was in her sixty-eighth year of religious profession.
Sister Joan was born to Steve and Johanna (Weissenbeck) Weigel on March 19, 1923, in Marshfield, Wis. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1947, and made profession of vows in 1950.
Before going to the convent S. Joan did secretarial work for Berg Equipment Corporation, and Felker Bros. Manufacturing Company and bookkeeping for Hub City Jobbing Company in Marshfield, Wis. Having earned a degree in education, Sister Joan taught for 30 years in elementary schools in Iowa and Wisconsin. Several of these years she was also the principal of the school. From 1981-1994 Sister Joan worked in pastoral care at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. After her retirement in 1994, she continued to volunteer at the hospital and her parish church. Sister Joan retired to St. Rose Convent in 2003 and then to Villa St. Joseph in 2014.
Sister Joan is survived by her Franciscan community, her sisters: Rita Weigel-Bauer and Beatrice Statz of Wisconsin Rapids and Maxine Feind, Marshfield, Wis. and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother who died in infancy.
Friends may call after 3:15p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Schumacher Family Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Bernyne Stark, FSPA
Sister Bernyne Stark, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 98, died on March 23, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph. She was in the seventy-fifth year of her religious profession.
Sister Bernyne was born on January 30, 1920, to Frank and Marie (Reck) Stark in
Sister Bernyne spent her first six years of active ministry as an elementary and junior high teacher in Wisconsin. For the next 14 years she taught on the secondary level in Wisconsin, Iowa and Utah, including six years at Aquinas High School in La Crosse. Sister received a Bachelor of Arts degree in French with minors in Latin, English and Education from St. Louis University. She received a Master of Arts degree from Universite Laval, Quebec, Canada, in French (which included a 100 page thesis in French). From 1964-1995, Sister Bernyne served at Viterbo College (University) in various roles: French and English instructor and Chairperson of the Language department. She retired in 1995 and served with Elderhostel for a year. Sister Bernyne achieved Professor Emerita status at Viterbo University. From 1996 to 2011, she volunteered at Viterbo Learning Center, at St. Rose Convent as chapel tour guide, at the Red Cross blood donation center and many other places. She moved to St Rose Convent in 2011. In 2015, Sister Bernyne made Villa St. Joseph her home.
Community members, family and colleagues will remember Sister Bernyne as a tour guide extraordinaire, always interested in international education. She loved travelling, whether to study as she did in France and Switzerland or to lead tour groups from Alaska to Australia. She participated in the GATE program in Mexico and a sabbatical in Shisong, Cameroon, Africa. Throughout her life, she kept in contact with many of her former students and former travelers. She will be remembered for her feisty personality, always carrying herself with great dignity and pride.
Sister Bernyne is survived by her Franciscan community; her sister Mary Ann Neppl, Halbur, Iowa and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Norma Pietig.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Sister Bernyne will be buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration,
Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Betty (Theolinda) Hebert, FSPA
Sister Betty Hebert, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, one week short of her 77th birthday, died on Jan. 17, 2018, at Villa St. Joseph,
Sister Betty was born on Jan. 24, 1941 to Francis and Rita (Hennes) Hebert in Unity, Wisconsin. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1956 and pronounced vows in 1961. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Viterbo College (University), with a double minor in biology and chemistry. Entering the healthcare profession, she served for 14 years as a medical technician at St. Francis Hospital (MCHS-FH) in La Crosse, three years at Sacred Heart Hospital, Idaho Falls, three years in Irvine, Kentucky and three years at St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. In 1982, Sister Betty was diagnosed with lymphoma. Despite continuing health issues, she began and successfully completed the occupational therapy program at St. Catherine’s College,
Sister Betty is survived by her Franciscan Community; three brothers: Gerald Hebert, Neshkoro, Wisconsin, Joseph (Pauline) Hebert, Marshfield, Wisconsin, and Daniel (Nancy) Hebert, Arizona City; two sisters: Carol Kosier, Colby, Wisconsin, and Rosaline (Duane) Peterson, Neillsville, Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers: Richard and Francis and two sisters: Antonette Weis and Virginia Borchardt.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, when her body will be brought to St. Rose Convent,
Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration,
Sister Mary James Ramaekers, FSPA
Sister Mary James Ramaekers, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 91, died Monday morning, Jan. 15, 2018 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-first year of her religious profession.
Sister Mary James was born on Feb. 15, 1926, to Fred and Gertrude (Smith) Ramaekers in Lindsay, Nebraska. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1944, and professed vows in 1947. Having earned a degree in nursing, Sister Mary James ministered as a registered nurse for eight years in hospitals in Idaho (Sacred Heart Hospital), Iowa (St. Anthony Hospital) and La Crosse (St. Francis Hospital) from 1951 to 1960. She attended Catholic University and earned a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing and nursing service administration. For the next 16 years she served as a psychiatric nurse at St. Francis Hospital (Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare), La Crosse, and as part-time instructor at Viterbo College (University), where she initiated the psychiatric nursing program. From 1978 to1981 Sister Mary James was a clinical nurse specialist at St. Joseph Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska. After a sabbatical year, she spent 11 years in Minneapolis in crisis nursing, counseling and as a visiting nurse. During that time she ministered with emotionally and mentally ill persons, doing health assessments for Hennepin County and as a mental health and crisis nurse at HealthEast Care Center at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota until 1993, working with women who had suffered addictions and abuse. She and Sister Rose Tillemans, CSJ, hosted refugees from Central America and Africa in their home. Sister Mary James was part of a peace network with the community of CSJ sisters and participated in non-violence training with them. She was among a group that demonstrated against nuclear build-up and the manufacturing of cluster bombs at Honeywell headquarters in Minneapolis in 1985 and 1986 and was arrested both times, spending two weekends in jail. Sister Mary James earned a spiritual direction certificate and did individual spiritual direction and outreach work for St. Stephen Church, Minneapolis. In 2001, she moved to La Crosse and continued her social justice ministry through volunteering at Place of Grace. She made Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, her home in April 2006.
Sister Mary James is survived by her Franciscan community, including a sister, Sister LaVerne Ramaeker, FSPA, Waukegan, Illinois, one other sister: Bernice Miller, McHenry, Illinois, her brother: Rev. Victor Ramaeker, Algona, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers: Arthur, Andrew, David, Elmer and Paul, and one sister, Clare.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, when the body will be met at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. that evening in Mary of the Angels Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary James will be on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, Wis. 54601-8800. Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Sister Laurice Heybl, FSPA
Sister Laurice Heybl, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 87, died on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in the sixty-first year of her religious profession.
Sister Laurice started her ministry teaching in elementary and middle schools in Carroll, Iowa (Holy Spirit and Sts. Peter and Paul), Wisconsin (Marathon, La Crosse [St. James], Superior, Loyal, Eau Claire [Immaculate Conception]) and Blackfoot, Idaho. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in art from Viterbo College (University) and a Master’s degree in art from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. After earning a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Seattle University, she moved into youth ministry for the Duluth Diocese from 1975 to 1986. She then ministered in Palo Alto, California from 1989 to 1996 as a pastoral planning coordinator at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. She returned to La Crosse where she served as vocation director for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration until 2003. After that, Sister Laurice provided creativity workshops for FSPA and for the Franciscan Spirituality Center until this past year. Due to failing health in 2017, she moved to Villa St. Joseph just outside La Crosse.
Sister Laurice is survived by her religious community and many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jacob Jr. (Jack) and her sisters, Betty Howe, Cecilia Pazdernik, and Audrey Reetz.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel that evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 10 in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home is assisting with the services.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Rose Rita Collingon, FSPA
Sister Rose Rita Collingon, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 98, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the seventy-ninth year of her religious profession.
Patricia Elizabeth was born to Peter and Florence (Corcoran) Collingon on March 9, 1919, in Caledonia, Minn. She was given the name Sister Rose Rita upon entering the Novitiate.
Entering the education profession, Sister Rose Rita taught and/or was principal in schools in Iowa (Willey) and Wisconsin (La Crosse’s Blessed Sacrament School 1940-1943, and St. Wenceslaus School, 1952-1963, and in Platteville, Ashland, Black River Falls, and Schofield). She taught in the education department at Viterbo College (University) from 1963 to 1973. After leaving the formal classroom, she served as a Director of Religious Education in Stanley and Hurley, Wis. Throughout the years, she was deeply involved in assisting teachers and parents with the teaching of religious education to young children. She would often be a guest speaker at religious education conferences and editor for religious education materials. Sister Rose Rita served as a volunteer at the Villa (1985-1990) and tutor/volunteer at St. Rose Convent and the Franciscan Spirituality Center (1991-1994). From 1994 to 1999, Sister Rose Rita was a tutor at Immaculate Conception School, Eau Claire, Wis., before retiring at St. Rose Convent. She moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2004.
Sister Rose Rita is survived by her Franciscan Community, two sisters, Eileen Gerke, Bangor, Wis., and Margaret Rondorf, West Salem, Wis., a brother Joseph (Beverly) Collingon, Cashton, Wis. and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Bernett.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will take place that evening at 6:30 p.m., in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m., in the chapel. Burial will be in her family plot at the Catholic Cemetery on Losey Blvd. La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wis. 54601-4782.
Sister Marian Bauer (Thoma), FSPA
Sister Marian Bauer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 79, died on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the fifty-eighth year of her religious profession.
Sister Marian was born to William and Lucy (Hayden) on April 19, 1938 in Lima, Wis. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1956. Elementary education was Sister Marian’s ministry for over 40 years in Wisconsin-La Crosse (St. Joseph Ridge), Eau Claire (Sacred Heart), Athens (St. Anthony), Eau Galle (St. Henry), Pewaukee (St. Anthony), Superior (Cathedral), Boyd (St. Joseph), Schofield (St. Theresa), Prairie du Chien (Holy Family), Loyal (St. Anthony) and Marathon (St. Mary’s),and in Iowa, West Point (St. Mary’s). She began as a primary school teacher, then moved into upper grades and finally served as principal in Schofield (1977-1984), Prairie du Chien (1986-1989) and one year at Loyal (1989-1990). Most of her time in upper grades was teaching science--which she loved dearly. Sister Marian earned a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo University in education and social studies and a master’s degree from UW-Superior in education. She enhanced her education by taking several courses in computer education. Before Sister Marian retired from teaching, she would spend her summers volunteering as a driver at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse. In 2007, she retired to Villa St. Joseph where she continued to volunteer as a driver for the sisters until her health prevented her from doing so.
Sister Marian is survived by her Franciscan community, her brothers: Edwin (Mondovi, Wis.) and Arnold (Elmwood, Wis.), and her sisters: Aileen Wayne (Durand, Wis.) and Esther (Eau Claire, Wis.), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lucy, her brothers, Hubert and Wilfred, and her sisters, Rosina Branter and Helen Sweeney.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel that evening. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29, in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting with the services.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Sister Theodora Feulner, FSPA
Sister Theodora Feulner, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 97, died on Monday, July 31, 2017 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in the seventy-sixth year of her religious profession.
Sister Theodora was born to John and Alice (Ames) Feulner on December 4, 1919, in Spokane, Washington. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1938. Sister Theodora served as an elementary teacher for four years in Carroll, Iowa, Wausau, Wis., Blackfoot, Idaho, and Bozeman, Mont. She then received a diploma in nursing from St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse. Later she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing education and surgical nursing from Marquette University. She ministered as a registered nurse and director of nursing service from 1947 to 1965, and again from 1975 to 1979 at St. Francis Hospital (Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare). After one year at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse and one at Idaho Falls Hospital as a nursing service consultant, Sister Theodora went on for further education and earned a master’s degree in nursing administration from Boston University. For three years she worked at Boston University as associate director of nursing. From 1972-1975, Sister Theodora ministered as director of nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta, Wis. In 1979 she moved to Spokane where she took care of her ailing mother and attended the CREDO program at Gonzaga University. In 1982, Sister Theodora began ministering as a nurse at Holy Name Nursing Home, Spokane for nine years. After retiring from nursing, Sister Theodora served as Coordinator of Parish Visitors at Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane for sixteen years. She retired in 2007, moved to St. Rose Convent in 2009. In 2012, she made Villa St. Joseph, just outside of La Crosse, her home.
Sister Theodora is survived by her Franciscan community, one niece, two nephews and seven grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother George.
A prayer service and wake will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel on August 6, 2017. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 7, in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Sister Mary Gabriel Soong, FSPA
Sister Mary Gabriel Soong, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 92, died on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the 67th year of her religious profession.
Sister Mary Gabriel was born on December 24, 1924, to Paul and Mary (Lee) Soong in Shanghai, China. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1947 and made profession of vows in 1950. Having received a bachelor’s degree in Education and Biology from Viterbo College (University), Sister Mary Gabriel ministered as an elementary teacher for two years at St. Mary’s School in La Crosse, an instructor at Viterbo College (University) for three years, and a Junior/Senior High School science teacher for a total of fourteen years in Guam and Provo, Utah. She then went on for further study and received a master’s degree from Syracuse University in General Science. She also completed a program in medical record technology. At that time, she changed careers and moved to California where she served as a medical lab technologist at Brookside Hospital in El Cerrito from 1974-1993. She retired in El Cerrito, visiting the sick and elderly, especially at St. John the Baptist Parish, where she worshiped. Sister Mary Gabriel retired to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis. in 2004 and moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2010.
Sister Mary Gabriel is survived by her Franciscan Community and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers: Joseph, Thomas, Norbert and Nicholas and her sisters: Mary, Therese and Catherine.
Since Sister Mary Gabriel requested a natural burial, her wake will be Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 4 p.m. at Villa St. Joseph. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 22 in the Villa chapel. Burial will follow immediately at Villa St. Joseph. There will be a memorial service for Sister Mary Gabriel at a date still to be arranged at St. Rose Convent, with sharing following. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting with the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Sister Margaret Heil, FSPA
Sister Margaret Heil, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 96, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in the seventy-seventh year of her religious profession.
Sister Margaret was born to Frank and Margaret (Salzmann) Heil on January 11, 1921, on a farm near Marathon, WI. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1935. Entering the field of education, Sister Margaret ministered in elementary and middle grades for 54 years in parochial schools in Iowa (Festina, Milford, Calmar) and Wisconsin (Wausau, Ashland, Superior, Sparta, Prescott) including 14 ½ years in La Crosse (St. James, Holy Cross, St. Joseph Schools), 16 years at Menomonie and 7 years at Mosinee. She was also the Director of Religious Education at Mosinee. Sister Margaret served as principal in schools for 37 of those years. She retired at St. Rose Convent in 1994, volunteering as tour guide and secretary. In 2009, she moved to Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.
Sister Margaret is survived by her Franciscan community; two brothers: Conrad (Doris) Heil, Wausau, Wis. and Theodore (Geraldine) Heil, Oconomowoc, Wis.; her sister: Margaret Ostrowski, Hatley, Wis., several in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Erwin, Walter, Alfred, George and Francis, Jr.; and three sisters: Marie Look, Caroline Diedrich and Sister Dorothy (Margaret Clare).
Friends may call at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse after 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 9. Visitation will begin in Mary of the Angels Chapel at 9:45 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9, in the chapel. Sharing will be at 1 p.m. in St. Rose Gathering Room. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
Dickinson Family Funeral Homes is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Carlene Unser, FSPA
Sister Carlene Unser, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 96, died on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the seventy-seventh year of her religious profession.
Sister Carlene, the daughter of Charles and Helen (Pease) Unser, was born on November 29, 1920, in Eau Galle, Wis. At her baptism she was given the name Dorothy Bernadine. Dorothy attended Chase Hill School for grades one through eight. Her father was determined his children would get some Catholic school education. Therefore, Dorothy became a boarder at Sacred Heart School, Lima, Wis. for two years of high school. Dorothy entered St. Rose Convent on August 15, 1936.
Dorothy was received into the novitiate on August 9, 1938, and was given the name Sister Carlene. She pronounced first vows on August 12, 1940, and made final profession on August 9, 1946.
Sister Carlene received a BA in Art from Viterbo College (University) and an MA in Education from Marquette University. She did post-graduate studies in Illinois, California, Arizona and Guatemala. Sister Carlene served as a first and second grade teacher in elementary schools for twenty-six years: Roselle and Carroll, Iowa, and Mosinee, Dodgeville, Boyd and La Crosse (St. Wenceslaus), Wis. The last thirty years of her career were as art instructor at Viterbo College, serving as chairperson of the department for ten of those years. Sister Carlene was one of the three FSPA at the time instrumental in designing the Fine Arts Center at Viterbo University. In 1996 Sister Carlene retired in La Crosse.
Sister Carlene was an outstanding artist, proficient in many media. She was a devoted iconographer, writing about 80 icons since she started with a group in Eastern Europe in 1998. Sister Carlene’s art appeared in numerous exhibitions, professional activities and commissioned works. She received numerous awards for her teaching and her artistry, including Teacher of the Year and the S. Helen Elsbernd Award from Viterbo University. Up until a few months ago, Sister Carlene was still weaving and making quilled greeting cards for the St. Rose gift shop.
Community members, family and friends remember Sister Carlene as a compassionate and caring friend, someone who had a smile and words of encouragement for everyone. She loved teaching; her students remarked how she was able to find the beauty in everything and everyone, and draw it out of each one of them. Her Franciscan community meant the world to her; she often said that because of her Franciscan heritage she could help young people see the beauty of creation and all around them. Reflecting on her many years in community, Sister once said, “I am grateful for every minute. I have been blessed spiritually, educationally and in many other ways. My heart is filled with gratitude.”
Sister Carlene is survived by her Franciscan community, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers: Donald, Kenneth, Floyd and Charles; and three sisters, Sister Carola, FSPA, Catherine (May) Szklarski and Lorraine Bauer.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2017, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel that evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2, in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Schumacher-Kish is assisting with the funeral arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Sister Edna Bube, FSPA
Sister Edna (Anthony Clare) Bube, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 88, died on Thursday, April 13, 2017 (her birthday), at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the sixty-eighth year of her religious profession.
Sister Edna was born in Athens, Wis. to Bodo and Margaret (Rosner) Bube on April 13, 1929. She was baptized Edna Amalia. She was the fifth oldest of ten children. Her father farmed in Athens, Corinth and Wurtzberg, Wis. The sisters in her elementary school had a great influence on her.
She entered St. Rose Convent in 1943 after completing the eighth grade at St. Anthony School in Athens. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1949.
Sister Edna served as a homemaker the first three years of her religious profession before entering the education field. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education with a minor in art from Viterbo University. She taught in elementary schools in Guttenberg, Iowa (1952-54), Spokane, Wash. (St. Xavier and St. Anthony Schools, 1955-62), Mosinee, Wis. (1962-63) and Canton, Miss. (1963-71). Sister Edna completed a nursing assistant program at Western Technical College and ministered as an aide at St. Francis Hospital (MCHS-FH) and Lutheran Hospital (Gundersen Medical Center) before moving into ministry for the elderly and homebound in Pueblo, Colo. (1973-1980), in Phoenix, Ariz. (1981-82) and in Santa Fe, N.M. (1982-1987). After attending the Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Hospice Institute, she became a certified grief counselor which led her to a ministry at Berardinelli Mortuary, St. Vincent Hospital and Cancer Center and with several area doctors in Santa Fe from1988 to 2000. At that time, she retired from full time active ministry and continued volunteering at St. Vincent Hospital and Cancer Center. She also enjoyed tutoring at a woman’s shelter and walking dogs at a local animal shelter. In March 27, 2017, after a severe automobile accident, Sister Edna moved to Villa St. Joseph.
Sister Edna is survived by her Franciscan community, her brothers: Bodo (Neenah, Wis.), Ronald (Wausau, Wis.) and Anthony (Orange, Calif.) and three sisters: Margaret (Peggy) Burgos (New York City), Ursula Kordus (Plattsmouth, Neb.) and Marie Seubert (Ephraim, Wis.). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Peter and her sisters Agnes Stark and Dorothy Creecy.
Friends and community members remember Sister Edna as an enthusiastic, compassionate person who loved life and all God’s creation—especially her best friend, Honey, a little brown dog. Her passion for the disadvantaged and dying entered every aspect of her life. Even though she lived far away from the Perpetual Adoration Chapel in La Crosse, she spent several hours a week at the Guadalupe Adoration Chapel or Benedictine Monastery in New Mexico.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel that evening. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 20 in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery,La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-4782.
Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Marie Leon LaCroix, FSPA
Sister Marie Leon LaCroix, FSPA, 98 (one day short of her 99 th birthday), died Monday, March 20, 2017 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in the seventy-eighth year of her religious profession.
Sister Marie Leon was born to Ernest and Mary (St. George) LaCroix on March 21, 1918, in Spokane, Washington. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1936. Having earned a degree in education from Viterbo College (University), Sister Marie Leon taught on the elementary level for five years in Wisconsin before earning a degree in home economics from UW-Stout and teaching for 11 years on the high school level at Carroll and Muscatine, Iowa, Spokane and Superior, Ashland and La Crosse (Aquinas High School), Wisconsin. She continued her education in theatre at St. Louis University, Missouri, the University of Iowa, Iowa City and Seattle University. In 1955, Sister Marie Leon started the theatre department at Viterbo College and was director, costume designer and maker, and associate professor until her retirement in 1994. Sister Marie Leon played a very prominent role in the design of Viterbo University’s Fine Arts Center. After retirement, she continued to volunteer at Viterbo, especially in making costumes. Sister Marie Leon made St. Rose her home in 2002 and moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2012.
Community members, family and friends remember Sister Marie Leon as a loyal FSPA, a woman of prayer, and an excellent theatre teacher. She had determination and spunk, a creative imagination and was a stickler for details. All of these qualities helped her to accomplish the task of beginning the theatre arts department in Viterbo College (University). Sister Marie Leon loved teaching and was reluctant to come back to La Crosse. She confessed, “You give me a job, I’ll rant and rave, but once I say ‘Amen,’ that’s it. You give me people to work with, and that’s all I need.” (This included reaching into the community for men who would fill male acting roles, since Viterbo at that time was an all-women’s college.) She started with a sewing machine and the old gym at Viterbo. She was director, costume sewer and set designer. And when she had accomplished what she had been given to do, she retired to have time to spend with her God, to read and to contemplate. Sister Marie Leon was a true show-woman. She loved entertaining visits—with a focus on “entertaining.”
Sister Marie Leon is survived by her Franciscan community, her sister Kathleen Schneider, Spokane, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mildred Kopet.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel that evening. The Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 23, will be in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782 or the Sister Marie Leon La Croix Scholarship Fund at Viterbo University, 800 Viterbo Dr., La Crosse, WI 54601.
Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Sister Mae (Ann Clare) Kaiser, FSPA
Sister Mae Kaiser, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89, died on Monday, January 23, 2017,
at Villa St. Joseph, La 
Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the 67th year of her religious profession.
Sister Mae was born on June 19, 1927, to Matthias and Thecla (Wagner) Kaiser in Stratford, Wisconsin. At her baptism she was given the name Mary Frances. Because of all of the “Marys” in the relationship, she was called Mae. Her years of childhood were much the same as all girls—getting into, perhaps, more than her share of mischief when tagging after her two older brothers. She attended St. Joseph’s School, Stratford, which was staffed by the FSPA. The years following her eighth grade graduation were spent at home helping with the work entailed in caring for a family of five brothers and five sisters. Often an SOS for help came from families in the vicinity and then Mae lent a helping hand. This work consisted in playing nurse-maid and being assistant or chief cook. At the age of 20, Mae heard the Lord’s knock at the door of her heart and she followed her two younger sisters, Alice and Joann, to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Mary was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1948, and was given the name Sister Ann Clare. (She later returned to the name her family had always called her, Mae.) She made profession of vows on August 12, 1950 and final profession on August 9, 1956.
Sister Mae ministered to her sisters in the FSPA community for 20 years as a homemaker in convent homes in La Crosse; Dodgeville and Superior, Wisconsin; and Lansing, Iowa. She served two years (1960-1962) as a housekeeper at Viterbo College (University) and four years (1962-1966) at St. Angela Academy in Carroll, Iowa. Sister Mae was employed in Dietary Services at hospitals in Idaho Falls and Arco, Idaho (1957-1960) and St. Francis Medical Center (MCHS-FH), La Crosse (1971-1979). In 1979, she was appointed Director of Housekeeping at St. Rose Convent; a position she held until she retired in 1998. Sister Mae moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2014.
Community members, family and colleagues remember Sister Mae as an accomplished seamstress, a good cook, a creative craftswoman and an efficient cleaner and organizer. In her retirement she sewed innumerable sets of drapes for the bedrooms at St. Rose Convent. Sister Mae always had a twinkle in her eye—as though she was looking for the next opportunity to get into mischief. She was kind and gentle and interested in her sisters and her work companions.
Sister Mae is survived by her Franciscan community; two sisters: Mildred (Anthony) Eilers of Marshfield, Wis.; and Carol (Gary) Watson of Corvallis, Ore. and three brothers: Mark (Agnes) of Stratford; Edward (Delphine) of Appleton, Wis.; and Paul (Joan) FSPA, and Sister Margaret Wagner, FSPA, are among her surviving cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Sister Joann Kaiser, FSPA, Sister Alice Kaiser, FSPA and Monica Baierl and her brothers, Father Leonard Kaiser and Joseph.
Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 26, at 10 a.m. in the
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782 or by using the online donation form.
