Sister Rose Marie Peters was born on a hot summer day on June 16, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, to David and Anna Peters. Her father was born in Menasha, Wisconsin, while her mother was born in Germany. The family belonged to St. Philomena’s Parish in Chicago. Both her brother, David, and her sister-in-law are now deceased. She was very fond of her nephew Gregg.
Sister was received in 1948 and given the name Sister Davinus, honoring both her father and brother. She graduated from Alverno College, having earned a major in education and minor in English. She furthered her education at Clarke College; earning a master’s degree in education with a minor in reading.
Her early ministry experience included small schools in Nebraska, Upper Michigan, and Wisconsin. Often in these small schools, Sister Rosie needed to teach several grades and to perform extra duties. Her vibrant personality and her sense of responsibility contributed much to the sisters with whom she lived and to whom she ministered. A change of pace happened when she was assigned to St. Mary’s School in Menomonee Falls for a period of three years. Later she chose to return to Menomonee Falls for a period of 14 years.
Sister Rose Marie enthusiastically entered a new phase in her life when she returned to Chicago to teach adults at Wright College for 19 years. Some of them were immigrants learning English. Her happy and respectful attitude was well suited for this type of teaching. When she returned to Milwaukee, she again used her teaching skills and her love for people from other countries by volunteering for the Milwaukee Achiever literacy program.
Being the adaptable and practical person that she was, the next part of her life was spent as a seamstress and as a driver. She moved from Chicago to Campbellsport and then to Milwaukee. Her love for her sisters was shown as she assisted by sewing and driving sisters to appointments.
She would begin each trip with a little prayer, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, guide the wheels we ride upon.” When asked, “How much do we owe you?,” she would reply, “Pay me as much as it is worth to you.” She continued to pick up aluminum cans and to recycle them to pay for gas. These tasks were accompanied with songs, humor, and endless jokes. She was a member of the Chicago Area Singers and the Chapel Singers. St. Patrick’s Day was a time for her to show off her talent doing the Irish jig. She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles.
Her nephew Gregg and his family gave Sister a 1000-piece puzzle that was created from a photo of Gregg and the family surrounding Sister Rose Marie. Sister Marjorie Ann Eisenmenger was inspired to write a poem from which I will quote:
“Virtual visits warm sunroom and home. The 1000-piece puzzle greeted Auntie Rose Christmas morn. The photo on the box cover beckons her. She yearns to visit nephew Gregg and family. The scattered pieces scramble for focus. She interlocks colors and shapes. Precise matching breathes new life! Gregg, Jordan, Auntie Rose, Lynn and Max are together again! picture perfect – ! ”
Sister Rosie was a woman of prayer and her last years of her journey provided an opportunity for communal prayer and personal prayer. We give thanks, Rosie, for your dedicated life, so filled with Franciscan joy and humor.