Sister Agatha Marie Sadler was born as Rita Sadler on January 25, 1937 in Canova, South Dakota, the daughter of Leo Michael and Helen Margaret (Harings) Sadler. She was joined a few years later by a brother, Donald. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis on June 13, 1956, and received the name of Sister Agatha Marie. She made her first profession of vows on June 21, 1958, and final (perpetual) vows on June 21, 1964.
A couple of years ago Sister Agatha shared the following with the sisters of Nebraska and what we think you would like to hear it. She wrote:
How did so many years pass!? My first year began in Canova, South Dakota on January 25, 1937, in a snowstorm. It took several weeks for Dad to rescue Mom and I from the hospital and from a neighbor’s house. Little did I know then what else would come into my life.
It was my blessing to be given to prayerful parents, kind, loving, and peaceful. As I review my life, I can find these qualities in myself, and hopefully, I used them in my years of teaching, pastoral care of the sick, and community living. I still can hear my mother say to me, "Never be unkind to the student who finds school hard". Those words have stayed with me throughout my life.
My joys have always been centered around prayer, the Blessed Sacrament, and the Mass. I also love music. My father was First Violin for the Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He started me in piano lessons in first grade and I continued through college. I spent many years as a church organist.
Sister Agatha Marie is survived by her sister-in-law: Bev Sadler of Howard, South Dakota; nieces and nephews; many friends and by the School Sisters of St. Francis community with whom she shared her life for 66 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Donald.
Sr. Agatha Marie, may you be enjoying God’s joy, and please continue to pray for us.