At that time, she studied occupational therapy in Des Moines, and served as activity director at Willis Adult Day Care. Sister Jean and her sisters (and often her brother) spent manyvacations together exploring their family roots in Ireland, or just hanging out by the ocean. The Tau Center in Winona, Minnesota recruited her as their baker in 1997, a position she held for the next two years. After high school, Sister Helen completed coursework at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing and served as an RN at St. Marys Hospital, Sparta, Wisconsin. After a years sabbatical in 1998 at the Tau Center in Winona, Sister Michon moved to St. Rose Convent where she served as assistant administrator for the sisters. After leaving the classroom in 1976, she was on staff at Northern Province House in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin with responsibility for food service and maintenance. She attributed her good health to the daily walks/runs to the hermitages located on the Villa property. Community members, family and friends, remember Sister Jean as someone that always loved life in any of its aspects. She lived simply, joyfully and with great love and care for everyone. Later, she taught elementary school and parish music in Tomah, Wisconsin for five years. She was in the 76th year of her religious profession. She was always ready to share something with whomever she met, including candy from the bag constantly over her arm. In 1982, Joanne became an affiliate of the FSPA. Then in a flash of light on Independence Day, she was set free. She was in the fifty-seventh year of her religious profession. Sister Lydia was born to John and Mary (Danzer) Wendl on January 11, 1922, in Willey, Iowa. She attended Holy Family Grade School and DePadua High School. She had taken several business subjects in high school, so she did secretarial work for three years before entering St. Rose Convent in La Crosse on July 29, 1941. Sister Gertrude Daugherty, FSPA, 93, died on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. In 1989, with the close of FSPA regions, Sister Evelyn was called to serve as assistant treasurer for the FSPA congregation in La Crosse. From childhood Sister Jean dabbled in arts and crafts from woodworking to stained glass to photography to jewelry making. Sister Helen taught one year at St. Marys School, Marathon, Wisconsinbefore devoting the rest of her life to the healthcare profession. Obituary Sr. Marcy Romine O.S.F. Sister Helen Keating, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 93, died of cancer on May 14, 2020 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. In the eighth grade, Sister Pat started playing trumpet in the high school band and later moved on to playing the trombone and baritone. Sister Lois Lobdell, FSPA, 97, died Thursday, August 27, 2020, of natural causes at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. There she attended St. James School and Aquinas High School, both staffed by FSPA. In 1996, Sister Sandra started the process of transferring to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She then volunteered in Sun City, Arizona before assisting as a receptionist at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse. Mary Jane, her sister, Monica, and two brothers, Myllin and Mark, grew up in Eau Claire. Her family moved to a farm near Storm Lake, Iowa in 1947. Oftentimes, she would spend days in the home of someone dying of HIV/AIDS or care for them in her home if they couldnt afford another place or another place was not available. She loved her family and visited them in Washington state as often as possible. She was in the sixty-eighth year of her religious profession. From 1986 to 1989, Sister Margaret Ann served as Director of Development of Catholic Schools for the Superior Diocese. By then it was evident to her parents that her desire to be a sister had not diminished, but had grown stronger and they allowed her to enter St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsinon August 15, 1940. Following her formation program, she began teaching in parish schools in Wisconsin . Angel, Ore. For family and friends unable to attend in-person funeral celebrations, FSPA offers live streaming. It was Bishop John Martin Henni who invited the women from Bavaria to the Lake Michigan shore to help with the needs of the 19th century German immigrants. For recreation, Scrabble was her passion, along with a good card game now and then. Community members, family and friends remember Sister Patricia as someone with a heart for the disadvantaged. Our History. Sister Geralyn earned a bachelors degree in elementary education from Viterbo College with a minor in music. She thrived on helping people and especially loved her adoration hours. Date of Death: August 1, 2022. Gertrude was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1946 and was given the name Sister Barbara Jean. Daniel Piasecki, OFM, 82, a member of Sacred Heart Province, died on Jan. 14 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. For almost 40 years, Sister Bernadette played background music once a month for televised Masses in the Madison Diocese as part of their Apostolate to the Handicapped. Her parents moved to Chile five months after they were married. During the seventh grade at St. Marys School in Auburndale, Sister Dorothy began hearing a faint call to religious life. Sister FrancesYanisch, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 90, died on Friday, April 24, 2020 at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin after a battle with cancer. The FSPA community is grateful for her leadership, especially in leading the congregation into the world of social security and investment. One evening as the family gathered on the porch, next to a very full rain barrel, her father teasingly picked her up and saying he was going to put her headfirst into the barrel. She wanted to enter St. Rose Convent after graduation, but circumstances compelled her to wait until August 30, 1943. The 70th Jubilee group included Sr. Mary . She boarded with the sisters Monday through Friday and it was customary to make a retreat between the two semesters. In 1982, she moved to Waterloo, Iowa, to resume her ministry of occupational therapy, serving mainly children with severe disabilities at River Hills School. She was received into the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on August 12, 1952 and given the name Sister Ida. In 1981, Sister Bernadette moved to Milwaukee where she ministeredas an instructor, associate professor, professor and assistant dean of the English department at Marquette Universityover 36 years. Catherine was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1942, and was given the name Sister Rosile. Three years later cancer prevented her from performing all of her duties there but she continued on as an assistant to the new parish administrator. For the next 20 years she ministered as an art teacher in high schools in Wisconsin (Superior, Green Bay, and at Viterbo College), as an art and religion teacher in Wausau, Wisconsin and Miles City, Montana. She was a retired nun who joined the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi as a teenager and went on to a career as. More. Community members, family, colleagues and friends remember Sister Helen as an exceptional nurse and instructor. The first 26 years of her ministry were spent as a middle-grade and junior-high teacher. Her creativity was expressed there in numerous ways, especially at times of the many holidays and feast days celebrated there as she decked the halls with flowers gleaned from the garden. After visiting numerous religious communities, talking with many sisters, and somehow being nudged by St. Francis of Assisi, Jean entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After a year, she resigned again from the Salvation Army and formally entered the congregation and made first vows in 1986 as an FSPA. In addressing all aspects of creation as either Sister or Brother, Francis demonstrated his desire to be in relationship with all of creation. Sister Donna shared vivid memories of growing up in their beautiful farm home surrounded by rolling hills. She also participated in her parish choir. Being a Thanksgiving baby has been a great asset to me, she reflected. While at Mt. Community members, family, colleagues and friends will remember Sister Cecilienne as an excellent music teacher and a master organist. The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio are engaged in such diverse ministries as education, health care, social services, religious education and more. She professed first vows on Aug. 12, 1955. During her time with the Salvation Army, she earned a masters degree in guidance and counseling from Whitworth College in Spokane. She started out in the primary grades and quickly moved to middle and junior high, eventually serving as principal for seven years while at Holy Family School, Ashland and Sacred Heart School, Eau Claire. She continued her ministry serving part-time as a healthcare provider for another ten years for Comfort Home Health Care, also in Rochester. Her work in Minneapolis was evidence of her compassionate and helpful nature. They desired to transfer from the congregation and become members of the Franciscan . In 1974, she returned to Fort Wright College and earned a bachelors degree in sociology. Sister Pats love for music and keen musical ability served as the basis for much of Sister Pats ministry. Sister Rosile Pernsteiner, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 98, died Friday, July 10, 2020, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Sister Agnes served her community as a homemaker in convent homes in Iowa, Mississippi, Washington and Wisconsin for thirty years. Her love of the Eucharist carried over to her dedication in taking Communion to shut-ins. As a child she enjoyed ice skating, hiking, bicycling and roller skating. Sister Pat was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1947, and was given the name Sister Paula. Her elementary school years were spent at St. Marys School in Guttenberg. Sister Margaret Ann entered St. Rose Convent in 1945. In 2000, another transition occurred in her life when she moved to volunteer in the finance office and kitchen at St. Rose Convent. She was in the seventy-third year of her religious profession. She later went back to her baptismal name. After earning a graduate degree in communications and journalism from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Sister Patricia served as Central Region secretary for six years in Hiawatha, Iowa. She used her many talents to write parodies for celebrations at St. Rose Convent and at Villa St. Joseph. Obituary - Sr. Miriam Sitarz OSF Sister Miriam, 100, a sister for 84 years, died June 3, 2017 at Mary, Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis. She was a people person, warm and giving of her time and helpful to anyone in need. After initially attending Viterbo College (University) for classes, Sister Frances went on to receive a certificate in dietary administration from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Missouri. SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS - Home "We, the Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are women of prayer, committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier. The children would often ask their mother for a picnic supper on hot summer days. Sister Sandras primary ministry prior to joining FSPA was serving as a midwife in Tanzania and Kenya. A second sister, Kathy, was born following the familys return to the States. In 1977, she received a Fulbright scholarship to India, an adventure, she said, that enhanced my Asian Studies classes. After a years internship in the Student Development Department at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Sister Michon was appointed Dean of Students at Viterbo College. From daycare for loved ones who suffer from dementia, to rehabilitation centers for recovery from surgery . Sister Margaret Ann made first profession of vows on August 12, 1948 and final vows on August 9, 1954. This academic year she still served as chaplain for the Viterbo University womens basketball team. Her first profession of vows was made on August 12, 1955. She was head baker at Villa St. Joseph 1967 to 1976. She loved biking and walking anything to be out in Gods creation. Sister Dorothy was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1959 and was given the name Sister Dorothy Ann. Florence Catherine was born on September 26, 1923, to Frank and Dorothy (Tritz) Goetz in Bellevue, Iowa. When the FSPA congregation opened its spirituality centers, the facilities benefited from her excellent furniture upholstery work a hobby she continuedfor years. Her connections with friends from Ashland remained with her throughout the years. Sister Clara Mae had asked her parents about going to the convent when she was a freshman, but they suggested she complete high school first. Gerald Walker, OFM, Cap. Donna Jean Weber was born on April 25, 1930, to Reynold and Laura (Asher) Weber in Eau Galle, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-first year of her religious profession. Her early education was in a one-room school where the teachers husband brought wood to keep everyone warm in the winter. From 1975 to 1979, she was principal at Marquette High School in West Point, Iowa. Sister Geralyn Misura, 88, died Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, Wisconsin. During this time, Sister Rosile supervised all lay employees and building projects. Her high school days were spent at Marycliff High School where she took clerical courses, so that she could get an office job right after graduation. After recovering, she participated in a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program in Rochester, Minnesotaand then served as assistant coordinator at St. Rose Convent. For six years she was the chapel tour guide coordinator at the convent. Her work with young people was recognized by the Davenport Diocese, where she was invited to become the Diocesan Director of the Office of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, a position she held from 1981 to 1989. In 1977, she was appointed Director of Financial Affairsand later Business Managerat the institute, where she served until 1987, simultaneously earning there a Master of Arts degree in Theology, with a concentration in spirituality. In 1993, Sister Pat returned to Tulsa as pastoral minister at St. Marys Parish until returning to St. Rose Convent in 1996, where she served in pastoral care to sisters retired there. From 2001 to 2009, while traveling back and forth to Cameroon, Sister Anita lived in the formation house of the congregation where, as she put it, she moved from a ministry of doing to the ministry of being. In 2009, she was invited to continue the ministry of being at Marywood Franciscan Spirituality Center in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin. At that time, she retired and spent the next eight years volunteering, mainly as a math and science tutor. Community members, family and friends will remember Sister Margaret Ann as gentle, kind and always with a smile. After a year in support services in El Paso, Texas, she was called to serve as baker at St. Rose Convent. Sister Patricia Tekippe, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, died on December 25, 2022 at 11:20 am. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities was formed in 2004 when three New York-based congregations of Franciscan sisters joined together. Her fathers work, assistant sales manager for Auto-lite, led the family to move to La Crosse shortly after her birth. In eighth grade she shared her call with her parents, who were very supportive. She taught in Calmar, Mallard, St. Lucas and Balltown, Iowa and La Crosse from 1945 to 1962. She loved her family and didnt miss a family reunion as long as her health permitted. These four congregations originated from the same Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . She completed her bachelors degree at Viterbo College (University) with a major in education and a minor in music. She described her family as rich when it comes to happiness and love. She began school at St. Josephs Academy in Yakima, and completed her elementary education at St. Aloysius School after her family moved to Spokane, Washington. After suffering a mild stroke in 2014, she moved to St. Rose Convent. Helping to connect people to faith. After receiving a bachelors degree in English from Viterbo College (University), La Crosse, she went on for a masters degree in English from Marquette University, Milwaukee. Yermo High School in El Paso. After completing high school, Sister Lois entered the novitiate on August 12, 1942, and was given the name Sister Caroleen. From 1974 to 1977, Sister Ladonna served as treasurer for the FSPA Central Province in Hiawatha, Iowa. She traveled across the country with Sister Thea, until Sister Thea eventually succumbed to cancer in 1990. Her smile and hearty laugh were both infectious. Our dear Sister Marilyn died May 24 at Mother of Perpetual Help Residence in St Louis. Sister Gertrude made first profession of vows on August 12, 1948 and final vows on August 9, 1954. She made her first vows on August 12, 1951. Sister Bernadette Milada Prochaska was born on June 15, 1932 in Montfort (Castle Rock), Wisconsin to Frank and Victoria (Roh) Prochaska, where she grew up with her nine brothers and sisters. The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis operated a convent and church on a 300-acre site northeast of Springfield from 1917 until 2021. . Sisters. In 2022, with her health failing, she moved to Villa St. Joseph. Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania Ohio 6832 Convent Blvd.