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.

On Aug. 12, 1949, she entered St. Rose Convent and was received into the FSPA novitiate on Aug. 12, 1950, where she was given the name, Sister Carmencita. She later returned to her baptismal name and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1952. Sister LaVerne began her tertiary studies at Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse and was soon transferred to St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse where she earned a certificate as a radiologic technologist. She served as a radiologic technologist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta, Wisconsin and St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll for two years. From there she became program director of the School of Radiologic Technology and chief technologist at Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She also received a Bachelor of Science in radiologic technology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Returning to La Crosse, Sister LaVerne became program director at the St. Francis School of Radiologic Technology. She later earned a Master of Science in education and evaluation from the State University of New York in Buffalo, New York. For the next nine years, she was on the faculty and served as department chair of Radiologic Sciences at the Chicago Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. Later, after receiving an EdD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sister LaVerne moved to the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois and served as department chair for the Allied Health Degree Completion Program. For the next 10 years, she continued serving in the health field as chairperson and coordinator of various allied health and radiologic programs at Indiana University in Gary, Indiana. Sister LaVerne retired in 1996 to Waukegan, Illinois, where she provided volunteer support as a grant researcher, advisory committee member, fundraiser and driver for ElderCare at Christ Episcopal Church. In 2020, she retired to La Crosse and moved to St. Rose Convent in 2023.

Sister LaVerne is remembered by her FSPA community members, family and friends as a dedicated educator and radiologist. Her many years of service in the health field touched thousands of individuals as students, patients and colleagues. She was loyal to her family and friends, especially Kay Shriver, always adding a thoughtful touch to special occasions with something unique for each individual. Her energy and care for others continued all through her life. She loved her FSPA community and rarely missed a community gathering, even when she was ministering at a distance. She took up woodworking before she retired and loved making décor for people’s homes.

On June 13, 1955, Sister Dorothy was received into the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and was given the name Sister Mary Dorothy. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1956. Teaching was Sister Dorothy’s primary ministry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in mathematics from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago in Illinois and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago. Sister Dorothy taught upper grades and high school in Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska and Illinois. After Vatican II, realizing that change was happening all around her and in many parts of her life, but not in her religious community, she became restless.

In the summer of 1990, Sister Dorothy began the transfer process from the Manitowoc community. She first responded to an invitation from the Wheaton Franciscans in Illinois, but by October 1993, she had discerned a call to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse. She was fully incorporated as an FSPA in Sept. 1996. As part of the FSPA community, Sister Dorothy continued her educational career serving as a basic skills instructor in inner city Chicago in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. From 1999 to 2011, Sister Dorothy ministered as FSPA’s Membership Office Assistant. When her health began to deteriorate, she moved to St. Rose Convent. In 2014, she moved to Villa St. Joseph and in 2023, back to St. Rose.

Community members, family and friends remember Sister Dorothy as a “sparkplug” who was known to be a fearless risk-taker motivated by tenacity and determination. She was passionate about those in need. Her ministry in inner-city Chicago and academic advising at Loyola University were very enriching for her and those she served. Her ability to integrate her own life journey was invaluable as she worked with others who were exploring religious life. She was always interested in what was happening in the community and had a quick-witted explanation for almost any problem or challenge that arose.

The family was quite familiar with religious life since two of her father’s sisters (Sisters Benigna and Paulinda) and her mother’s sister (Sister Francetta Venteicher) were in the FSPA community. Sister Laura was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1947, and was given the name Sister Mildred. She later returned to her baptismal name and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1949, and final vows on Aug. 9, 1955.

Sister Laura received a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in music from Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse. She also earned a master’s degree in religious studies from Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. Her first ministry was as a middle-grade teacher. She served in schools in Iowa (Festina, Halder, Luxemburg, Muscatine and Calmar) and Wisconsin (Auburndale, Greenwood and Dodgeville) for 22 years. She then changed the focus of her teaching to religious education, serving as a parish minister and director of religious education in parishes in Iowa (Rockwell City, Waterloo, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Garnavillo and Calmar-Festina), Illinois (Wheaton) and Wisconsin (Cross Plains and Norwalk). She was instrumental in establishing a catechetical program for four parishes in Ames, Iowa. In many of these parishes, she also served as organist and choir director and even as director of liturgy and music. For two years she was involved in home care and served one year caring for children in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in Houston, Texas.

After retiring, Sister Laura served as sacristan at St. Rose Convent and as a volunteer at Villa St. Joseph until she retired to St. Rose Convent in 2007, and then to Villa St. Joseph in 2011. In 2023, Sister Laura moved back to St. Rose Convent. Community members, family and friends will remember Sister Laura as someone who was able to engage in any conversation. Religious education was her favorite ministry and she loved working with children and families in a parish setting. Sister Laura never missed a community function and always had something substantial to contribute. Even when her sight failed her, she stayed abreast of what was happening in the community and the world. And most importantly, her bright smile would light up every room she entered.

For the next four years, Sister Margaret attended St. Rose High School in La Crosse. She was received into the FSPA novitiate on Aug. 12, 1949 and given the name Sister Donelda. She later went back to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1951. Sister Margaret earned a BS in elementary education from Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse and an MS in elementary education with a concentration in reading from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Superior, Wisconsin. She ministered as a primary school teacher for 34 years at schools in Wisconsin (Durand: 1951-55, La Crosse: 1955-56 and 1969-75, Allouez: 1966-68, Odanah: 1968-69, Ashland: 1975-80 and Schofield: 1980-85), Washington (Spokane: 1957-63) and Iowa (Luxemburg: 1963-66).

After training in Clinical Pastoral Ministry in 1985, Sister Margaret moved to St. Vincent Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas where she started her career as a chaplain. In 1995, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she continued ministering as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital until she retired in 2004. She spent the next four years as a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Cathedral of St. John in Milwaukee. In 2008, Sister Margaret retired to St. Rose Convent where she was active in the ministry of prayer and hospitality.

Sister Margaret is remembered for her love of prayer ministry, taking numerous adoration hours. She had a deep appreciation for the Mass and, if she could attend, never missed a Eucharistic liturgy. For years she assisted with table decorations at the convent. During her ministry and retirement, she was a great listener to others’ stories of grief and transition. Sister Margaret loved to travel. She participated in a GATE experience in the Czech and Slovak Republics and eastern Germany, and also traveled to Canada and Mexico and various parts of the U.S. She accompanied Sister Dorothy to the Holy Land to celebrate Sister Dorothy’s 50th jubilee and then went to Ireland for her own 50th jubilee.

She loved school and participated in everything she could: parties, sports, dances, band, orchestra, as well as studies. Yet, she felt incomplete. She again explored the idea of becoming a sister. On Sept. 8, 1959, she entered St. Rose Convent, where she completed her senior year. Sister Patricia was received into the novitiate in 1961 and received the name Sister Mary Aloysius. She later went back to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of religious vows on Aug. 12, 1963. Sister Patricia began her ministry as a primary grade teacher in Coon Rapids, Iowa and Mosinee, Colby and Superior, Wisconsin. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Viterbo College (University), La Crosse and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

In 1976, Sister Patricia then received a Master of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Dayton, after which she served for a number of years as an assistant business manager at Viterbo, and eventually controller. These times were tremendous growth years for the college as both enrollment and budget greatly expanded and benefited from her expertise. She moved to Davenport, Iowa and worked as controller for Palmer College of Chiropractic from 1993 until she retired in 2008. Sister Patricia moved to St. Rose Convent in 2012 when her health deteriorated and to Villa St. Joseph the following year, where she participated in the ministry of prayer and witness. Last year she moved back to St. Rose Convent.

Community members, family and friends remember Sister Patricia for her joyful spirit and her willingness to get involved in any activity that presented itself. Even after her retirement, and struggle with Parkinson's, Sister Patricia was involved almost every day of the week volunteering, singing in a choir or meeting with friends. She was determined to live life to the fullest. Her eyes usually indicated some mischief she was planning—including dyeing locks of her hair various colors in her later years. Everyone knew that a beanie baby was a perfect gift to add to her large collection. Sister Patricia inspired others, especially during her years dealing with a back injury and the relentless progression of Parkinson's. She exuded positive energy, no matter her circumstances. Even while Sister Pat was at Villa St. Joseph and using a wheelchair, she used every opportunity she could to go out for a sightseeing ride or event. And one could always count on a display of Green Bay Packer paraphernalia outside her room on game days.

Sister Loretta was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1946 and was given the name Sister Thomasine, later returning to her baptismal name. She made profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1948 and final vows on Aug. 9, 1954. Sister Loretta earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a major in violin from Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse. Sister Loretta taught elementary school music for 24 years in Spokane, Washington, Lima, Wausau, Eau Claire, Superior, Edgar, Marathon and Ashland, Wisconsin and Bellevue, Iowa. After caring for her mother for several years, Sister Loretta became the manager of the copy center at Viterbo in 1981, a position she held for 19 years. In 2001 she added the task of mail clerk to her other duties. She remained on staff at Viterbo until her retirement in 2019. During those years, Sister Loretta also served as an organist at St. Rose Convent. She continued playing the organ until early 2023, when her health prevented her from climbing the steps to the choir loft.

Community members, family and colleagues will remember Sister Loretta as a matter-of-fact person who was sparse with her words. She would “rule” the copy center at Viterbo like a postmaster general, but beneath her stern demeanor was a heart of gold. Knowing this, her colleagues at the university enjoyed teasing her, just to see what response they would get from her, something she enjoyed and reciprocated. During the holiday season, many who knew her were fortunate to find a batch of specially prepared Chex Mix tucked away in their mailboxes.

She loved music and was saddened when she couldn’t play the organ or the violin any longer. Another of her delights was researching genealogy and finding family connections from the past for herself as well as other sisters and colleagues. A major discovery for her was that one of her ancestors traveled with St. Isaac Jogues on his 17th-century missionary travels in Canada. She was very proud of her Italian roots. Growing up in Genoa was a source of pride along with the many homes her father built — some of which remain standing today in Genoa and on La Crosse’s southside. Sister Loretta also had a deep respect and compassion for the work her brother, Father Edward, did in his many years of mission work in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. When he fell ill, she made the trip to South America to be with him. Sister Loretta was also an avid crossword puzzle player, as she was the one who copied puzzles from the newspaper and supplied many sisters with them.