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Sister Joselyn Brenner

Born: December 31, 1928
Died: October 10, 2011

Funeral Commentary by Sister Kathlyn “Kate” Brenner

Our dear Joselyn (Frances Mary) came into this world surrounded by love on December 31, 1928, to Frances and Joseph Brenner. She was the third of nine children, five girls and four boys. It was Joseph and Frances, our loving parents, who instilled in us a fervent faith, a love for all humankind and through whatever each day held, assured us that we were sustained by the presence of a loving God.

As I was contemplating Josie’s life a few nights ago, I asked myself – What word best describes her life? The word that came immediately before me was…presence. She was always present to the other! Her life had a single strain: to see Jesus in every human being.

Her life was a song…begun on the knee of our Dad as he played his concertina. Her love for music was developed, sustained, nurtured and encouraged by the School Sisters of St. Francis at St. Catherine’s Parish, Pius XI High School, and Alverno College, and among the people of Glidden, Wisconsin; Walls, Mississippi; Omaha, Nebraska; Saint Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana; Clement Manor Retirement Community, and most recently at Sacred Heart Center.

Nothing kept her from singing! Her life was a song!

Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Sister Brenner remembered for her joy, love of students and music
Catholic Voice, Omaha, Nebraska
October 21, 2011

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Sister Kathryn Terese Deermer

Sister Kathryn was a classmate of Sister De Paul Ross. Were those two classmates helping each other get to heaven?  Both were people who cared for and served others.

Kathryn was the second child of Aloys and Theresa Deermer. A boy born a year earlier died shortly after birth so Kathryn became the oldest of five boys and three girls. She was a big help to her mother and took good care of her younger brothers and sisters. It was her desire to enter the convent when she graduated from eighth grade but, as a caring and helpful person, she continued helping at home until she was 17. At that time she entered the School Sisters of St. Francis. She was received into our community on June 13, 1934, and given the name Sister Aidan. 

Sister spent over 75 years as a homemaker. She ministered in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Nebraska. Besides cooking and doing laundry, she often baked altar breads. She also worked in the Parkside Manor nursing home in Stuart, Nebraska, for approximately eight years while her mother was a resident there. After her mother’s death, she moved to Our Lady of Lourdes Convent in Omaha and served there with her sister, Sister Mary, until they both retired to Campbellsport in 1998. Here she worked in the bakery and also was a volunteer in the laundry. She was always ready to help when and where she was needed.

Sister always enjoyed visiting family, and it was always a special joy for Sister when her family would come to Campbellsport to visit. That would light up her days and her smile would light up her face.

Sister Kathryn’s presence among us was that of a peaceful, pleasant, and prayerful person. The nurses who cared for her in her last illness remarked that she was patient and uncomplaining. Thank you, Sister Kathryn, for your good example. Your spirit will continue to inspire us. We know you will remember us in the presence of our God and of all the Saints as an intercessor for our needs.

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Sister Dorothy Funk (Eleanor)

Born:  June 19, 1928
Died: August 27, 2011

Funeral Commentary by Sister Margaret Ann Arnold, SSSF

Sister Dorothy was born on June 19, 1928, in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.  Her parents, Barbara and John had two sons and five other daughters.  Dorothy’s sister Barbara and sister-in-law Dolores continue to live in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, in Wheeling, Illinois.  Dorothy has many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, who she loved to visit whenever she was able to travel to their homes.

Dorothy entered the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1946 and was received on June 13, 1947.  She was given the name Sister Eleanor.  Because Dorothy began her mission life after her two years of Novitiate, it took her 10 long summers to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Alverno College in 1959.

Dorothy began teaching in 1949 at Immaculate Conception School in Chicago.  From 1951 to 1967, she taught at elementary schools in Westville and Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Belgium and Germantown, Wisconsin.  While at St. James School in Arlington Heights, Dorothy loved preparing 50-60 second graders, and worked closely with her lay teacher friends.  Her community at St. James was 23 other School Sisters of St. Francis, who often put on musicals and plays with costumes, props and all.  Dorothy was always willing to be among the supporting cast members that produced fun and quality entertainment for the School Sisters living group.

From 1967 to 1975, Dorothy ministered at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, as teacher and CCD chairperson.  During this time, Dorothy earned her Masters degree in Religious Studies from Mundelein College in Illinois.  She continued as CCD director at St. Mark and St. Mary Schools in Kenosha, Wisconsin, from 1975 to 1980.

In 1980, Dorothy began working with Sister Bernadette Kalscheur in the Schhol Sisters of St. Francis Development Office, as Administrative Secretary, and continued in this position for eight years.  I’m sure there are many stories that could be told about those years!

In 1988, Dorothy became an Administrative Secretary for the Independent and Assisted Living Units at Clement Manor, in Greenfield, Wisconsin.  She loved this new job, the people she worked with, and the many residents, who in turn loved her.  “Secretary” was her title, but for 17 years, Dorothy filled the many needs of the residents who came to see her daily.  She knew each by name, and her joyful spirit spread out to everyone; she was very proud to work at Clement Manor.  There were so many little activities she graciously accomplished each day, such as the mail and bus service, assisting people with special needs, arranging beautiful bulletin boards, delivering announcements from the Activity Department to the 200 mail boxes of the residents of the East and West Buildings on the Clement Manor campus, and training volunteers to help with the residents’ needs.  A resident provided her with an electric scooter when walking became more difficult for Dorothy, and her little red scooter allowed her to get around the long halls of Clement Manor with ease.

Dorothy was thrilled to be able to move into a small apartment at Clement Manor in 2004, while she continued her ministry there.  Greg Szpak (Spock), her supervisor, described Dorothy as someone who loved life, was “spunky”, and one who was always busy and productive.  She had to finish whatever was on her desk.  She was proud to be a School Sister of St. Francis, proud of her teaching ministry, and she treasured the simple things of life.  She trusted God, and when some event or crisis came up, she would tell Greg, “You take care of that and I’ll pray!”  In 2005, Dorothy retired from her work at Clement Manor, but continued to live there, and to be gracious to everyone she met.

When Dorothy was in third grade, she observed a sister in her school doing some fancywork on the playground.  When she inquired, the Sister offered to teach her how to tat.  Dorothy perfected this skill, and throughout her life, she spent many hours creating delicate works of art.  Her beautiful doilies were sold at many Clement Manor sales, and given to family and friends as gifts.  Some became flowers on homemade cards.

Dorothy coped well with several cancer diagnoses during her later years, but in July, when she was told that it had spread, she chose hospice care with the sisters at Sacred Heart Convent.  She welcomed all who came to visit, with her special smile and grateful “Thank you”.

Everyone who knew Dorothy remembers the bow in her hair, and how it matched what she was wearing!  Sometimes it was hard to find one, and her friends at Clement Manor helped fill her little box of bows.  With or without her bow, I’m sure God recognized and welcomed Dorothy as the faithful ervant whose love touched so many lives.  Thank you, Dorothy, for your truly Franciscan simplicity and love of life!

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Sister Catherine Guzy (Laurita)

Born: April 21, 1924  
Died: January 17, 2012

Commentary by Sister Regina Pacis Meservey, SSSF

Sister Catherine was the third daughter born to Margaret and Charles Guzy, on April 21, 1924. The family lived on a farm in Pana, Illinois, and continued to expand to include four other daughters and three sons.  Sister is survived by her younger brother, Charles, and a sister, Mary Ann, both of whom live in California.

After graduating from eighth grade, Cathy decided to join the School Sisters of St. Francis even though she had been offered a scholarship to a nearby Catholic high school.  Catherine was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis on June 13, 1941, and received the name Sister Laurita. Sister graduated from Alverno College with a B.A. in Elementary Education in 1945. Her professional preparation continued at Webster College where she received an M.A. in Religious Studies.

Although she felt a call to be a missionary to China, Sister Laurita spent the next 24 years teaching first through eighth grades in various schools throughout Wisconsin and in Howard, South Dakota. Sister gave herself wholeheartedly to preparing her lessons and sharing her creative and artistic talents with her students, other teachers, as well as the entire parish community. Her graphic designs and decorations enhanced many school activities, such as May Crownings and school carnivals. 1967 was an important year for Sister Laurita: She became principal of St. Mary’s School in Fennimore, Wisconsin; continued to teach grades seven and eight; and earned her driver’s license – a skill which she continued to use until 2011 when she left Madison.

The next phase of Sister’s life—she had now returned to her family name, Catherine—began in 1969 with a call from the Religious Education Office of the Diocese of Madison. She was asked to be a religious education consultant and assist pastors and their largely volunteer staffs to establish religious educations programs in those parishes which no longer had schools. For the next eight years, Sister worked with the parishes in Area 8 of the Madison Diocese, such as Montello and Wautoma, who agreed to financially support this consulting.  The program grew because the pastors were very satisfied with the professional training and assistance given to the lay catechists.

A most persistent life insurance agent from Bankers Life and Casualty convinced Sister Cathy that she had all the qualities needed to become a successful agent. He stressed that she could help people protect their life savings and retirement funds. Cathy was intrigued by the challenge. She studied for her license; was hired by Bankers Life and Casualty; and, beginning in 1976, spent the next 29 years successfully helping people by answering their insurance questions and guiding their decisions about health care insurance coverage.

During these years, the group of School Sisters living in and around Madison enjoyed getting together in each other’s homes.  Sister Cathy faithfully made the trip from Montello and always brought the hostess a gift of candy.

In 1996 Sister Cathy began her battle with cancer. For eight years she took chemo treatments once a week, on Fridays, so that she could be ready to go back to work on Monday. The treatments worked and for four more years, she had the freedom and joy of volunteering her knowledge of insurance to many of the elderly in the Madison area who had come to count on her.

In June 2011, Sister Cathy celebrated her 70th Jubilee. She knew the cancer had returned. She carefully considered with her doctor all the options open to her. Those she tried produced only painful side effects.  In November, Cathy began putting her affairs in order and moved to Sacred Heart Convent. There, the excellent care and many visitors brought her to a deeper peace and helped her put her life in God’s hands.  Sister Cathy said: “My greatest accomplishment as a School Sister of St. Francis is working and helping people in a ministry and a Church with no limits, no walls, no ceilings, helping people of all ages and races.”

On Jan. 17, 2012, at the age of 87, God called Sister Catherine home to receive the reward of her unique and generous life of service to God’s people.

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Sister Virginia Handrup

Born:  September 18, 1936
Died:   November 21, 2011

Sister Virginia was born in Chicago on September 18, 1936, to Theodore and Hildegarde Handrup.  She was the first of three children and made a good role model for her sister Mary Ann who joined the family in 1940 and Ted Jr., who completed the family in 1945. Both German and English were spoken in the home. The Handrups were members of St. Benedict Parish, where they became acquainted with the School Sisters of St. Francis. The sisters staffed the grade school and eventually the high school. Sister Virginia graduated from the grade school and attended the high school for two years before entering the School Sisters of St. Francis in 1952 to begin her religious formation and to continue her academic preparation. 

During the Marian Year, 1954, Virginia was received into the community on June 13 and received the name Sister Theodore Marie, which she had suggested in honor of her father. After completing her novitiate formation, Sister Theodore Marie returned to Alverno College to major in English and German. She graduated with honors in 1958 and received her MA in English from Marquette in 1966.

Her first teaching assignment was at St. Joseph in Wilmette, Illinois. Hearing this news, her parents commented, “I see they robbed the cradle for the seventh grade teacher this year!” But Sister’s excellence as a teacher was immediately noticed and she spent only one year with the seventh graders before moving to another St. Joseph’s – this time a high school in Kenosha opened in 1957 by the School Sisters. 

Sister Virginia lived with 50 other School Sisters above the school on the fourth floor and fully engaged in all the co-curricular activities of the students. Sister was affectionately called “Teddy Marie” by some of her students, but St. Joseph Catholic Central’s President, Bob Freund, notes this was probably not to her face! After Vatican II, in 1967, Sister returned to her baptismal name of Virginia.

Over the next 48 years, Sister Virginia dedicated herself to teaching all levels of English, psychology, German, creative writing, as well as moderating the yearbook. The expectations she set for herself and her students were lofty, but she used her witty sense of humor to encourage success. Failure was never an option in her classroom. To her colleagues, Sister was a role model of integrity and professionalism and praised as a true master teacher. Alumni frequently came back to share their college and life experiences with her. They affectionately recalled the standard of excellence that was the benchmark of her classroom and were grateful for this preparation.

Sister Virginia announced her retirement from teaching in June 2007. But for School Sisters, “retirement” means a re-focusing of time and talents.  This Sister Virginia did by continuing to assist students, especially in improving their writing skills.

We will never know the lives that Sister Virginia touched by her teaching, befriending and wide-spread correspondence. She lived each day fully right up until the moment God called her home! We were privileged to be in her circle of influence! Now, our faith assures us that she is enjoying the rewards of her generous life!

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Sister Jane Hilger

Born:  September 26, 1919
Died: January 22, 2012

Edited from Sr. Jane’s biography and other sources
by Sr.Barbara Jean Potthast  

On September 26, 1919, twins, named Jane and Janet, were born to Amelia and William Hilger on a farm east of Lannon, Wisconsin, near Good Hope Road. Their parents, of German descent, were good, hard-working people as they raised their family of 12 children. They led a simple country life style with no radio nor TV for entertainment. The youngsters had many good times together. They’d play in the barn, swim in the stone quarry, and play baseball in warm weather. In winter they created shadow shows, ice-skated on the pond and tobogganed on the hills. In the evenings their mom would play the piano as they sang along.

The Hilger kids also enjoyed their school life and had many friends. They attended a small public school in Lannon that had two grades in every room. For her eighth grade graduation in May 1933, Jane’s Aunt Clara gave her the gift of a trip to the World’s Fair in Chicago. It was her first train ride. Upon her return she was excited to report all the interesting sights and sounds of the Fair. Displays looked to the future such as all sorts of new inventions, improvement of radio, air travel, cars, and advances in the health field.

On August 27, 1933, Jane left home to enter St. Joseph Convent.  She kissed her big family goodbye, hoping that her twin sister would follow her into religious life. What a happy day it was when Janet came the very next year! Both looked forward to their Reception Day knowing they’d be separated by one year. But to their surprise, the twins were allowed to be received together. On that happy day of June 13, 1936, Janet received the name of Sister Isobel and Jane’s was Sister Esdra. In August of 1938 they pronounced their first vows. Soon after, they parted ways to begin their mission life, Janet as a nurse and Jane as a teacher.

Sister Jane’s first assignment was to St. Joseph School in Wilmette, Illinois, where she taught second grade for nine years. Next came Buffalo Grove, followed by Aurora. After 16 years in towns of Illinois, she was sent to Leavenworth, Minnesota. She became ill there and returned to Wisconsin. After recovery she taught in Wisconsin’s rural schools of Lancaster, Waupun, Waumandee, Phlox, Campbellsport, and Johnsburg. In Milwaukee she taught at the large school of St. Albert’s for eight years.

Sister Jane was very interested in writing for children, so she took a correspondence course in this subject and received a certificate in 1976 from the Institute of Children’s Literature in Connecticut.  She next taught one year in Freeport, Illinois. In 1981, the parishioners in Waumandee, Wisconsin asked for her return. She responded and taught the intermediate grades until she decided it was time to retire from teaching. She had completed 49 years in the classroom. As a farewell gift and for her Golden Jubilee, the parish of St. Boniface gave Sister Jane the means for a bus trip with her sister to the Shrines of Eastern Canada and the American Martyrs of Auriesville, New York.

Sister Jane came to live at Campbellsport in 1986. The next year she took her first plane flight to Arizona to participate in the Tekawitha Conference for Native Americans in Phoenix, Arizona. But the real highlight of the trip was to see Pope John Paul II up close on his visit to the U.S.

Back home again at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport, Sister Jane was in charge of the flower beds since she enjoyed outdoor work and had spent summers volunteering her skills, and also tended the flower beds while on mission. Another undertaking that Sister Jane coordinated at Campbellsport was collecting cancelled stamps. As School Sisters from all over helped out by sending in their special stamps, she had retired sisters to help cut, sort, wash and pack up these stamps to sell. Some she would sell to collectors at conventions. 

Like our patron Francis, Sister Jane had a simple and gentle disposition, love of the “little ones” and of the beauty of the earth. Like her beautiful flowers, she is surely in full bloom and in the light of God’s Son that now is shining upon her and her twin sister, Sister Isobel, for all eternity. We thank you, Sr. Jane, for sharing the light of your life with us.

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Sister Genevieve Krantz (Jonathan)

Born:  January 13, 1915
Died: November 10, 2011

Sister Genevieve was born on January 13, 1915, in Klevenville, Wisconsin, a little town near Pine Bluff. Her father, John, was born in Brazil, Indiana, and her mother, Maryann, was born in Austria.  Sister Genevieve was the middle child of a family of eight boys and seven girls.  She and her brother, John, were twins. Two of the 15 children died in infancy. 

The family lived on a farm where all worked hard.  They also prayed together as a family. The rosary was a daily prayer. Sister Genevieve and her brothers and sisters were taught by the School Sisters of St. Francis in Pine Bluff. It was at Pine Bluff, with the Sisters, that the seeds of her vocation were planted.

Sister Genevieve entered the School Sisters of St. Francis and received the name of Sister Jonathan. Right after her profession, she was assigned to work at St. Mary Hill Hospital, where she remained for the next 29 years as a nursing aide, sacristan and housekeeper.   She was happy and worked hard. 

The time came for a change of occupation and Sister Genevieve went to St. Matthew’s rectory in Milwaukee where she worked as a homemaker.  She continued in this work at St. Bruno’s rectory in Dousman. After 14 years in this work, Sister Genevieve retired. 

That retirement was short lived…only one year.  She decided that she could still be of service and moved to Madison where she used her talents for helping others and cared for the elderly during the next ten years.

In 1995 Sister Genevieve retired for the second time and began her new ministry of prayer and presence at St. Joseph Convent. As her health declined and she needed more care, she moved to Sacred Heart Convent. 

Sister Genevieve’s life was always one of service to others. On November 10, her Divine Savior called her home and said, “Well done good and faithful servant, receive your reward for all eternity.”

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Sister Rita Krantz (Lucien)

Born:  March 19, 1927
Died: December 28, 2011

Sister Rita, born on March 19 1927, was the fifteenth child of John and Marianne Krantz.  She and her family lived on a farm near Pine Bluff, Wisconsin. Farming involved long hours and the children participated in helping their parents with all the chores included in running a farm. In addition to working together, the Krantz family prayed the rosary daily. Rita, along with her eight brothers and six sisters, attended St. Mary Parish School in Pine Bluff.  Here Rita met the School Sisters of St. Francis where the seed of her vocation began to sprout.

Rita entered St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee in 1943.  She was received as a novice in 1946 and was given the name Sister Lucien. After making first vows, she went to Sacred Heart Sanitarium to begin nurses’ training which she completed in 1951 earning her BSN from Alverno College.

Sister Rita continued her nursing ministry at Sacred Heart from 1951-1965.  An excellent nurse, Sister was asked to join Sacred Heart School of Practical Nursing and teach at Villa Clement nursing home.  She supervised student nurses who were there for their clinical education in nursing.

Sister Rita’s first love was providing direct care to patients.  Hence when an opportunity to do this arose, she followed her heart.  Sister served patients at Veterans’ Hospital – Milwaukee for eight years.  She then returned to nursing at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Hospital from 1976-1987.

After a four month sabbatical in 1988, Sister Rita joined Sister Leora as nurse advocate for sisters residing at St. Joseph Convent – Milwaukee. Here she helped sisters who needed assistance with doctors’ appointments, interpretation of medical instructions and offered emotional support for those faced with serious health problems. Sister spent 17 years in this ministry before retiring in 2005.

Sister Rita came to live at St. Joseph Convent in 2009. She hoped to enjoy time with her sister Genevieve, who also lived there. When Sister Genevieve took ill, Rita was at her side providing whatever assistance she could.

We are grateful for all the loving care Sister Rita provided to her patients and family. We deeply appreciate the guidance and support she offered School Sisters who faced health problems. We know Sister Ann John will always treasure Sister’s friendship. Leaving her earthly service behind, we pray Sister Rita enjoys peace as one of God’s “good and faithful servants.”

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Sister Therese Merrick

Born: September 18, 1928
Died: January 12, 2012

Autobiographical commentary delivered by Sister Evlyn Schnieders

I was born to Joseph and Mary Merrick on September 18, 1928, on a little farm outside Kent, Minnesota.  I was the youngest of five living children.  My siblings included twin sisters, age 4, sister, age 10 and a brother age 13.  One brother had died at age 4 and another stillborn after me. 

Two days after birth I was baptized and given the name Theresa, after the “Little Flower” who had been recently canonized. I remained the “baby of the family.” Being the youngest, I was alone a great deal and quite independent and introverted.  

My family lived on a small 40-acre farm and I fondly remember tagging along after my Dad as he went about his chores. Those were Depression years and to make ends meet he also worked for the government programs WPA and PWA.  My mother was sick a lot, and no doubt grieved the death of two children. Both parents died when I was relatively young; Mother in 1952 and Dad in 1973. Through the years, my sisters and brother were a mainstay for me and we enjoyed regular reunions.

When I was old enough I attended a two-room school in town and was glad when, after a few years, I could take classes in the “big room.”  Next came high school where major changes in my life began to occur.

My two older sisters had joined the Franciscan Sisters in Hankinson, North Dakota, and received the names Sister Mary James and Sister Genevieve. After eighth grade I entered the candidature there and subsequently graduated from high school. College was next, but where?

Along with women of many religious congregations, several Hankinson Sisters enrolled in Alverno College in Milwaukee.  Naturally I followed suit. Vatican II was just beginning and I attended Father Parr’s scripture and theology classes enthusiastically.  Other areas of interest were sociology and psychology.

Soon after, I completed the minimum requirements for a teacher’s certificate and taught second through fourth grade children for several years. The need for religious education was recognized and because of my background in college, I was encouraged to enter that field. After more courses, I was ready to minister as a director of religious education.

Subsequently, I ministered in parishes, and I especially enjoyed working with adults.  My hopes were raised that they would pass on the faith to children. However, I did not always meet with success, and that perplexed and saddened me. That contributed to a personal struggle and growing unrest within myself and my relationship to my Hankinson community. So began a long search to know where God was leading me.

The ’60s and ’70s were exhilarating as well as tumultuous years for the Church, as well as religious congregations. Various Religious were eager to “renew” and forge ahead, while others were more cautious and preferred to “wait and see.”

During that time my superiors allowed me a two-year counseling experience with the St. Joseph of Corondelet Sisters in Derham, Minnesota.  I am grateful for that period because it enabled me to come to some personal decisions.

More and more I leaned toward joining a different group of sisters, one that accepted the Vatican II guidelines for the renewal of Religious Congregations.  While attending Alverno, I perceived the School Sisters of St. Frances embracing those guidelines.  That was what I was yearning for and I began to take steps to transfer. 

That process proved to be long and daunting, and it included a time of exclaustration from the Hankinsons. Finally, however I became a School Sister in 1981, and I have never regretted that decision.  Many School Sisters were helpful to me during that time, especially Sister Betty Tellensen, Sister Rosalie King and Sister Kate Fink, my formation director.  My counselor commented “You kept on, you didn’t let it get you down.”

As can be imagined, that was a painful time for my family, especially Sisters Mary James and Genevieve, who remained in the Hankinson Franciscans. However the family continued to support me as best they could.

As a School Sister, I again worked in religious education, as well as other jobs, but, again was not as successful as I would have liked.  I was somewhat encouraged, however, in learning of other “hard-knock” stories from directors of religious education. Thereafter, I refocused my efforts toward social justice issues, which I saw worthy of my untiring attention.

All that I experienced took a toll and further aggravated my health problems. That led to my eventual retirement at Campbellsport in November of 2007. After settling in at St. Joseph Convent, I experienced satisfaction in lecturing during holy Mass, as well as joining with the sisters in responding to social issues in the Church and world.  Particularly, my sister Genevieve’s extended visits gave me special joy and comfort.  They afforded us time to share the past, present and future as only sibling sisters can.

I believe my life can be summarized as a quest to know God’s will for me, and I am grateful for everyone and everything that assisted me on the way.

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Sister Rosaire Perkovitch

Born:  April 11, 1913
Died:  December 6, 2011

Sister Rosaire, Mary Perkovitch, was born on April 11, 1913, in Granger. Iowa. She, along with four brothers and three sisters, graced the home of Magdalen and Victor Perkovitch. 

When Mary was eighteen, she realized that she was called to religious life. She entered the School Sisters of St. Francis and, although she missed her family very much, she persevered in her vocation. She was received into our community on June 14, 1932. She was given the name of Sister Rosaire. 

Sister Rosaire was educated to be a teacher and thoroughly enjoyed teaching. Over the years, she taught students in all the grades from first through seventh. Her teaching ministry extended over 45 years in Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

One of her principals wrote that she “was an excellent teacher” and that she had an “extraordinary relationship” with her students. She had a natural talent for art and used that gift in her teaching as well as in her retirement years. Many of her water color paintings have graced our walls here at St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport.

Sister also loved to sew. Do you remember when our mantles could be made into coats?  Sister Rosaire could have put a label into many of them: “Lovingly and skillfully made by Sister Rosaire Perkovitch.”

One of our sisters who lived with her remembers her as a very pleasant and spiritual person who also loved to cook. She was a very good cook and would sometimes spend a whole day preparing a tasty meal.

In 1996, Sister retired to Campbellsport. Throughout her years of gifting us with her prayer and presence she exhibited her great of love for God and community. Her love and gratitude were often expressed by grasping your hand and kissing it.

Sister Rosaire, you are now able to kiss the hand of Jesus. As you intercede for us with him, perhaps you can send kisses from heaven to those whom you loved and appreciated here on earth. Rest in peace.

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Sister DePaul Ross

Born: April 2, 1911
Died: October 22, 2011

Commentary by Sr. Barbara J. Potthast SSSF

In this commentary I want to honor Sr. DePaul’s own words from her hand-written auto-biography of 2001. Here are the major excerpts from her story.  

On April 2, 1911, I was born to Anthony and Jennie Linehan Ross on a farm in Roberts, WI, the youngest of four children. My sister Myrl, age 13, William 9, and Louise 7, were sent to stay at the neighbor’s, and they were buzzing all day about what the new baby would be like!

At Baptism I was given the name Lucille Clare. When I was six years old I developed diphtheria, and a registered nurse from St. Paul, MN cared for me. Did I catch “the bug for nursing” when she nursed me?

Everyone in the family was inoculated against diphtheria. However, my father was afraid of the antitoxin and did not take the vaccine. Unfortunately, he developed the infection and died of complications on December 14, 1917 at the age of 45. I was only six. I had chicken pox and was unable to go to his funeral.

This left my mother to run the farm alone with the help of her two sons who were in high school at that time. Myrl was away in Normal School to become a teacher. So mother had to rely on hired help to do the heavy farm work. It was her courageous Irish spirit that sustained her through the difficult years as a single parent.

I attended public grade school and received catechetical instruction at St. Patrick’s school in Hudson. During public high school I thought more and more about wanting to be a nun and a nurse as well. I was shopping around, when providentially I met Sr. Magdalen McCormick, a School Sister of St. Francis who was in Hudson nursing a sister who was having cancer treatment. Sr. Magdalen impressed me with her kindness and good Irish humor. She planned to take me to visit the convent in Milwaukee in July, 1933 and the Sisters’ retirement home in Campbellsport.

My sister Myrl, was also interested in entering the convent. She had been teaching high school students for the past eleven years. So in September of 1933 I entered the convent at age 22 and Myrl followed at age 35 just before December 8^th. During my postulancy I was assigned to help in St. Rose infirmary in the morning and in the Sacred Heart Sanitarium patients’ dining room in the afternoon.

Myrl and I were received together in June of 1934. I was given the name Sr. DePaul and Myrl received the name, Sr. Wilfred. After Reception, in addition to religious instruction from Sr. Margaret and Fr. Klink, I was permitted to begin my nursing education at Sacred Heart. What busy days I had traveling daily between the Novitiate and Sacred Heart San! Profession day in June of 1936 was a day for Sr. Wilfred and me to remember - Fr. Rice from Hudson and our mother were with us for our big celebration.

The next big event in my life was graduation from Sacred Heart School of Nursing and receiving my nursing diploma in 1938. Shortly after, I took the Wisconsin State Board Exam. I passed and officially became an RN, a licensed registered nurse.

I was assigned in 1938 to the recently opened St. Joseph Hospital in Beaver Dam, WI. I worked in Surgery and was also the Medical and Surgical Supervisor. This was in the era before penicillin, disposables, and computers. We sisters also helped with housekeeping, even scrubbing and waxing floors.

I had the privilege of being close to my dear mother when, after her hip fracture in spring of 1951, she came to be a patient at St. Joseph’s. She was a very good patient but she kept her eye on me, and told me once that I was “too bossy” – a mother still nurturing me, I thought. I did reply, “It’s my job.”  I was with her when she died on April 7, 1952 and attended her funeral in Hudson.

In 1954 I was transferred to Waupun Memorial Hospital. There I continued working on the surgical floor as well as in the Emergency Room. Later I became the Surgical Supervisor. In addition to these assignments I served as Assistant Administrator for a time. My last five years at Waupun was as a night nurse for the whole hospital. 

Then in 1975 I was transferred to St. Joseph’s Convent, Campbellsport where I was a full time nurse on Wing 1 and Wing 2. I am most grateful that I could be with my sister, Sr. Wilfred, when she came from Omaha for care after she retired from teaching. I was happy to share with her memories of our home life, and to care for her during her short terminal illness. She died peacefully on December 2, 1977.

I have been at the bedside of many patients in their last days and hours and offered what support I could give to families and loved ones during their experience of grief and loss. 

Since 1985 I have accompanied many of our sisters when they needed medical or surgical care at St. Agnes Hospital, as well as being on call for emergency trips day or night. I am so happy I could give this kind of nursing care to our sisters who are always very grateful for it.

In my 60 years in the field of Health Care I have had a great variety of nursing experiences, for which I am deeply grateful. I appreciate too, the opportunity to form good relationships with many people, co-workers, patients and their families. These sixty years have been my continued education in nursing and health care. Now I’m retired from active duty and can fill my days with pleasant memories, prayer, rest, reading, correspondence, new hobbies and welcome visits from friends and former co-workers. Surely, God has blessed me!

You have just heard much of Sister DePaul’s account and can see what a dedicated and loving person she was in her profession. Sister also loved to travel – to Ireland, Scotland, England, to places of pilgrimage: Fatima, Lourdes, Rome, Assisi, Paris, to Mexico, and to many parts of the United States.

On one of my visits to sister I had asked her, “How are you doing today?” her response was “I’m waiting for eternity.” Her last travel day was this year on October 22. Destination: Eternity. Sister is no longer lonely in her room where she could barely hear, see, or walk, but we pray, she is in the company of God, the angels, saints, and all those she knew and loved, celebrating a new life for all eternity! Amen.

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Associate Mary Roy

On August 14, Mary Roy died in Orange, California at the age of 98. She had been an associate for 20 years. Because of her vibrant personality and her love of prayer, her contact sister, Sister Bernice Petronaitis, invited her to become an associate. Mary faithfully attended monthly meetings of associates and sisters and was always willing to assist with the fund-raising garage sales held for the benefit of the charitable works of the School Sisters of St. Francis. When a visiting sister would be in the area, Mary would offer them wonderful hospitality.

Mary was an avid reader who loved flowers and always had a rose garden at her home. She spent the last few years before she died praying for everyone she knew, and would end every phone conversation with “I’m praying for you.” Her energetic spirit prevailed even when she spent most of her time in a wheelchair or in bed. She will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her.

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Sister Elizabeth (Liz) Ruskamp

Born:  January 30, 1921
Died: January 7, 2012

Information compiled from biography and others by Sister Barbara J. Potthast

Sister. Elizabeth Ruskamp (Liz) was born on January 30, 1921, the seventh child in the large Ruskamp family. God gave a total of fourteen children to Anna Gross-Rhode and Joseph Ruskamp. The first five were boys, and the next four were girls. These were followed by five more boys. The second youngest boy died several hours after his birth. It was the family’s first experience of death in their home.

Liz’s parents, and all of their children, were born on a farm near Dodge, Nebraska. All received their elementary education from the School Sisters of St. Francis at Sacred Heart School in Olean. Usually the children walked the 3 1/2 miles to and from school every day except in bad winter weather; then they’d use the horse and buggy. Heated bricks kept their feet warm.

Liz enjoyed her years at Sacred Heart. She was a good student and also a good sportsperson. She enjoyed playing baseball with her five older brothers and became their star pitcher. She had a brave nature too. She was the only one of the girls who was daring enough to get onto the back of one of the farm horses, and proudly ride around on the farm.

After Liz graduated from the eighth grade in 1934 at the age of 13, she entered St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee as an aspirant. Catherine soon followed her. Joseph left three weeks later and went to the high school at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. He studied for the priesthood. In the next two years Corinne and Savina left for St. Joseph Convent, Milwaukee. Their Mom remarked that one of the greatest sacrifices of her life was to give up five of her children within four years. This was just when each was old enough to help care for the younger ones! Yet, God’s call was more important.

Liz was received on June 13, 1937, and given the name of Sister Menarda. After graduating from Alverno in 1941, her first teaching assignment was at Lemont, Illinois, followed by Skokie and Aurora. In Milwaukee she taught at St. Catherine’s, then went to Beacon, New York. Next were Sacred Heart in Hales Corners; St. Nicholas, Aurora, and Holy Angels, Chicago; and finally back to her home state of Nebraska: Howells, Fremont and Omaha. In Omaha she was principal at Mary Our Queen School.      

Sister Liz stayed the longest at Bergan Junior and Senior High School in Fremont, Nebraska – from 1978 to 1996. Her unique way of enticing the public school children to come to the Catholic school was to invite her CCD junior high students to become involved in the art of clowning. The “Kristie Klowns” were so well trained that they were asked to perform at one of the Omaha TV stations and also at one of the Sunday Masses at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha. It was during these years, too, that with the help of a priest, she introduced the Teens Encounter Christ program. She gave many talks to teens and served on the staff in this successful program. To honor Liz for her many wonderful years of service to Bergan High, the school board set up a scholarship fund for the most outstanding eighth grade student and also presented her with a large honorary plaque. This was quite a climax to her many fruitful years of dedication to children and youth.

It’s been said of her that she was a whippersnapper of a teacher; could handle 70 students in a class with ease; was a great cooperating teacher; was highly valued by priest employers and school staffs; and was friendly, outgoing, creative and artistic. She used her God-given talents well, down to acting the clown and teaching kids to “loosen up” and have fun clowning around so others might have fun and enjoyment.    

Sister Liz began retirement at St. Joseph Convent in Milwaukee in 1996 and was a driver for the sisters. She came to St. Joseph Convent-Campbellsport in 2002 to continue her ministry of prayer and presence. Her failing physical and mental abilities led her to be totally dependent on others. Yet she was happy for your presence, responding with bright eyes, smiles, attempts to laugh, and holding on to your hand. We can imagine her smiling, holding onto God’s hand as He welcomed her to her new home saying, “Well done, my beloved sister!  Come and enter into the joy of my home forever.”      

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Sister Corita Schmitt (Isabel)

Born:  May 12, 1923
Died: January 6, 2012

Sister Corita, Isabella Mary Schmitt, was born on May 12, 1923, in her parents’ home in Tipton, Missouri. She was the third youngest in the family of Carrie and William Schmitt. She had two brothers and six sisters. 

Isabel grew up in a faith-filled family. After supper they prayed the Rosary and often her mother extended the prayer service by adding prayers for many intentions. One time Isabel’s little brother, tired from kneeling, piped up with “Let us pray for Adam and Eve.” We can imagine that there were some snickers among the nine children. Perhaps even the parents had to smile.            

Her family was fun-loving and happy. Isabel and her brother Francis often managed to be in and out of trouble together. They also worked together in the local grocery store. Isabel’s father was a band leader and gave music lessons in their home. Because of this, she developed an appreciation for music.

Her dear father died at the early age of 59 and the responsibility of raising the family became her mother’s concern. She raised all her children as good Christians but was particularly insistent that her girls dress modestly and act like ladies.

As a teenager, Isabel and her sisters belonged to the young ladies society at the parish church. At times the pastor would encourage the girls to think about their vocation in life.  Since Isabel’s sister Kathryn (Sister Mateo) was already a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Isabel said she might go to the convent. Her wise pastor told her, “Don’t wait for an angel to tap you on the shoulder.” She didn’t wait but followed in her sister’s footsteps. She was received in 1946 and given the name Sister Corita.

Sister Corita’s first mission was in Earling, Iowa. She worked hard and enjoyed her ministry as a homemaker. Many sisters remember and appreciate her talents as a homemaker.

Her years of ministry included service in Illinois, New York, Mississippi, and Wisconsin.  In addition to her joy as a homemaker, she also began a new ministry in Mississippi as a teacher aide. Her last mission was in Barrington, Illinois, after which she became a part of semi-retired living group at St. Joseph Convent, Milwaukee. She loved her hours in the Adoration Chapel and in volunteer service to the sisters.

Due to ill health, she moved to Sacred Heart Center in 2001 and a few years later she came to St. Joseph Convent, Campbellsport. Here we have come to remember her as a quiet and patient person. And yes, as her mother wished, always acting like a lady. Her quiet presence will be missed among us but we count on her intercession for us. Sister Corita, may you now be enjoying the presence of God and be happily reunited with your family and the School Sister family. Peace!

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Sister Catherine Mary Schuit (DeChantal)

Born: August 4, 1910
Died: September 26, 2011

Mary Schuit was born on August 4, 1910, to Peter and Mary Schuit in Blue Island, Illinois. She was the third of seven children, having four sisters and two brothers. Mary attended school at St. Nicholas in Chicago. 

Sister stated in her autobiography that one of the important events of her teenage years was her entrance into the School Sisters of St. Francis.  Her mother willingly gave her consent, but her father was reluctant to see her go.  She had just graduated from Commercial High School, and he was hoping to see her get a job as a stenographer. However, she got her way and entered the School Sister community on September 12, 1926.

Mary was received on June 15, 1927, and given the name Sister De Chantal.  She attended Alverno College and prepared for ministry as a teacher.  During her years as a teacher, she taught in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  Most of her work in education was in teaching primary grades.  Sister loved the innocence and simplicity of God’s little ones.  She stated that they helped keep her young at heart.

When Sister was living in New Prague, Minnesota, she had retired from classroom teaching but continued to work in the Learning Center in Veseli, which is about ten miles from New Prague.  To get to school she would ride the school bus each morning and evening. 

Sister had spent almost fifty years teaching and working in Winsted, Minnesota, and she was much loved by the people there.  She taught three generations at Holy Trinity.  Later she was engaged in parish ministry, visiting the elderly and shut-ins.  She also did sacristy work and trained women for that ministry. She was a great help in co-authoring the history of Holy Trinity Parish.

In 1987 Sister was honored to receive the Bishop’s Medal of Service.  She served the longest of any sister in the New Ulm diocese, a total of 44 years.

On June 29, 1997, Sister celebrated her 70th jubilee.  The parish presented her with a plaque which read:  “We are grateful for your forty-four years of dedicated love and service among us in teaching and pastoral ministry: 

                    For your prayerfulness and example,
                    For teaching first grade for twenty-three years,  
                    For witnessing Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit,
                    For loving the Church,
                    For leading in singing at daily Mass and Rosary,
                    For believing in all of us of all ages,
                    For generously giving of yourself and time,
                    For bringing the Lord in Sacrament, Word, and deed,
                    For being a model and a friend.

Some of her former students continued to visit her long after she retired in 1993.  They made sure that she received 100 birthday cards for her hundredth birthday. 

They, and all of us here, remember gratefully her loving and generous spirit, her strength of character, and her faithfulness through many years of religious life.

Thank you, Sister Catherine Mary, for sharing God’s love in such a special way. You are now enjoying the rewards of your faithful service.

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Sister Janet Shurr

Born: January 24, 1926
Died: September 11, 2011

Commentary by Sister Leona Truchan

Rosalie Shurr, known in our community as Sister Janet, was the first-born child of Mary (known as Mimi) and Charles Shurr.  Rosalie had three loving sisters and one brother. Audrey was a year younger than Rosalie; Janet (nicknamed Janee by her family when Rosalie became Sister Janet) was three years younger; and the twins, Nancy and Dick, 14 years younger. Sister Janet came from a family of five children, which produced many grandchildren and great grandchildren, who also are present here. Sister Janet also had godchildren. 

Rosalie enjoyed school and began music lessons when she was six years old.  Sister Janet told me about how she wanted to be a religious Sister from third grade.  She said she was exposed to four different religious communities, but taking music lessons from a School Sister of St. Francis and having them as her high school teachers at Pius XI High School helped her select our community. We certainly are delighted that she chose to live her life with us.

Sister Janet received her undergraduate degree at Alverno College majoring in Music and was sent out to various elementary schools—St. Matthias in Chicago and St. Alphonsus in Greendale, Wisconsin—to teach music and be the choir director. After ten years of diverse experiences she was sent to Alverno College located at the Motherhouse.  For half a century she was part of the music faculty and also took time to acquire a master’s degree at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.  Sister Janet took multiple post-graduate music courses at DePaul University in Chicago, New York University, and at Aspen University, Colorado.

Sister Janet truly enjoyed learning and transmitting this knowledge to her students.  Her love for learning, for teaching and for attempting new experiences lasted with her throughout her life.  Another quality of Sister Janet was her deliberation and precision in her choices.  While at Eastman University, she minored in early music – the music of the Middle Ages, 13th to the 16th centuries – returning to Alverno with the conviction that her students needed to experience the instruments of this time to really grasp the music created.  She knew that the Music Department could not afford to buy her a harpsichord (forerunner of the piano) so, in her deliberate style and precision, decided to build a harpsichord from a kit.  Sister Janet enjoyed working with her hands and did produce a functional instrument so her students could experience music played in this manner.

Sister Janet minored in Middle Ages music.  She also was very receptive to new technologies and incorporating these technologies in her class work.  When we think of Sister Janet, we think of her achievement in violin, but she also mastered the recorders and taught lessons in using recorders until she retired.  In addition she introduced the use of hand bells to accompany religious services, and several of her students initiated these hand bell choirs in their parishes.

Sister Janet had a great love of travel, the outdoors, nature walks, and visiting new places.  She participated in many of the fine arts performed in Milwaukee such as the Repertory Theater, ballet, symphony, and art exhibits.  She enjoyed very much the European trip at the time of Alverno's 100th anniversary to help the sisters experience the quality of music that we taught.  In addition, Sister Theophane's desire to play on multiple organs throughout Europe was a great time for Sister Janet, who accompanied her on this trip.  She acknowledged the multiple blessings that were hers in this life.

In Sister Janet’s last illness, many of her former students wrote letters and cards, or came to visit and thank her for her continuous commitment to quality teaching, her love of music and the generous way in which she shared it.  Sister Janet was grateful for the care of Odyssey Hospice and Clement Manor staff, and we are grateful for all she has given to us.

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Sister Annora Steiner

Born: March 30, 1920
Died: October 30, 2011

Sister Annora was born in Evanston, Illinois. Later, her family moved to Wilmette, Illinois. She was the youngest of nine children. Five of her brothers and sisters had died before she was born. She sort of grew up in a kind of “adult” world since her sisters and brother were 15, 14, and 11 when she was born. Since she grew up in a neighborhood of boys, she learned to play baseball, tag, football, and climb trees—not very “girlish,” Sister Annora said.

Her parents instilled in her a love for intellectual growth, a strong desire to do her best, and to take pride in her work. She fought against her religious vocation, and at one time even returned the vocation literature with a note, “Do you think I am crazy?” But her mother, who had a sister in our community, prayed otherwise for her. After one year of high school in Wilmette, she made a trip to the Motherhouse. On the return trip home, she announced, “I am going to the Convent.”

Most of Sister Annora’s religious life was in the field of education as a teacher or a principal working with various ages: grade school, high school, and event at Alverno College. She also taught the aspirants for five summers. Education was her life and she remembered the loyalty of the children and families, especially in Creighton, Nebraska. Some still wrote to her.

Sister Annora always had a desire to go to China to be a missionary. Her dream to serve in the missions was fulfilled when she was sent to Costa Rica. In the ten years that she was there, Sister became ill and returned to the United States. She remembered those days and the kindness of the people with fondness. After regaining her health, she did accounting work at Our Lady of the Angels Province, and also in the U.S. Province.

As she retired, she found herself slowing down and believe it or not, she really enjoyed the slower pace. Sister Annora then found time to enjoy some of her favorite hobbies of reading, listening to classical music, and working puzzles. She always liked things in order and well organized.

It seems like Sister Annora always looked for the good things in life. Her comment at her 70th Jubilee was “I have a heart full of gratitude, but it is a tough job to grow old. But this was, and is, the best life for me!”

The last piece of your earthly life’s puzzle has been put in place, Sister Annora. And now you will enjoy eternal happiness with your Heavenly Father and be reunited with your entire family, even those you had never met.

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Sister Mary Beth Thomas

Born:  June 23, 1914
Died:   October 30, 2011

by Sisters Mary Theiss, Eileen Kalscheur,  Barbara Jean Potthast    

Sister Mary Beth was the fourth of five children born on June 23, 1914, in Cleveland, Ohio, to George Thomas and Mary Piscoran, who came by boat to America from Romania and settled in Aurora, Illinois. In the early years, the family moved several times including to West Virginia where her father worked in the coal mines and finally in the steel foundry in Aurora. Being also a skilled carpenter, her father was able to build the family home in Aurora. Mary Beth had lasting memories of the many days and nights her father and other family members from Romania, spent building this home.

Mary Beth’s mother was a homemaker and natural gardener. From her, Mary Beth first learned her deep appreciation of nature along with the awareness of God’s care for both plants and animals. Her mother taught her to talk to the plants and she became a lifelong caretaker of household plants. It was with immense pleasure that Mary Beth enjoyed the fullness of the beauty of each season.

Mary Beth’s parents were strong in their faith, belonging to the Romanian Byzantine Catholic Rite. When the parish built its church, her father dug up the only pine tree on his lawn and planted it at the new church where it was a sign to Mary Beth of the deep faith of her parents. As a child Mary Beth grew up helping her mother bake the weekly bread for Holy Communion. This act led Mary Beth to a deep love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist. The lively faith and love shown by her parents remained with Mary Beth all her years.

Mary Beth graduated from St. Michael’s Romanian School in 1929. This is where she first experienced the influence of the School Sisters of St. Francis. Sr. Andrina, her eighth grade teacher, especially helped nurture her call to become a member of the order. Immediately after graduation on June 24, along with two classmates, Florence Russ and Stella Kuk, Mary Beth came to Milwaukee to become a postulant at our St. Joseph Convent. She received the name of Sister Rudolph on Reception Day of 1932.

It was only natural for her to choose teaching as a ministry she could truly dedicate herself to, having experienced School Sisters in her early education. Sister majored in Education at Alverno and taught for many years, beginning in 1932 at St. William’s School in Chicago. She was next assigned to schools in Wisconsin: Dane, Milwaukee, Racine, Lancaster, Greendale, Hartford, and back to Milwaukee. After receiving a Master’s degree from Marquette, she was also principal at three of these schools. Up until 1989 Sister Mary Beth shared her life with school children in a way that exemplified kindness, firmness and fairness. Her colleagues were sharers in her faithfulness to duty which was always done in a spirit of giving and kindness in her own gentle way. It was easy to love Sr. Mary Beth as she was the epitome of the words of our St. Francis Blessing. 

After retiring from active teaching, Sister taught CCD classes, tutored, did library work, and subbed for schools. Her final days were spent in St. Joseph’s Convent Campbellsport, where she continued to be a gentle presence. Although Mary Beth lost her ability to speak intelligibly because of health issues, she was delighted if you spoke to her in a way that showed you cared enough to talk to her. She would respond in her unique way, sometimes with much emotion, then smile and look very contented— pleased that you listened. Perhaps that is how she is looking upon us at this moment, smiling and at peace in her heavenly home where “all is well” again – and where she can lift her voice in praise to her God who understands any language!

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