Obituaries / Obituarios

Give a donation in honor of Sister Bertha Ann Miller

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Sister Bertha Ann Miller, CSA, baptized Mary Agnes Miller, died peacefully March 27, 2021, at St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary Agnes was born in Decatur, Indiana, on January 21, 1926, to Peter C. Miller and Anna Bertha Gase Miller.  She grew up on the family farm with her three brothers and three sisters.

After graduating from Decatur Catholic High School in 1944, Mary Agnes entered the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation as Sister Bertha Ann on August 15, 1947.

Sister Bertha Ann received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1954.  She taught primary grades for twenty-nine years in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Illinois. In 1971, Sister Bertha Ann received a certificate in Theological Studies from Marian College.  She continued throughout her life to enrich herself and enhance her ministerial skills with courses in education and theology.

Sister served as librarian for two years at St. Mary’s School, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From 1978–1986, she worked in the Business Office of St. Mary’s Springs High School in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  She then served for twenty years as the bookkeeper for The Leo House in New York City.  Her dedicated service and precise accounting are still remembered by the staff of The Leo House.

In 2006, Sister Bertha Ann retired from full-time ministry and joined the community of sisters living at Nazareth Court and Center. Throughout her life in community and in her places of ministry, she was beloved for her gentle, patient spirit and her attention to detail—not resting until the day’s work was done well.

Sister Bertha Ann was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Anna Bertha Gase Miller; her brothers James and Oscar Miller; and her sister Rosalia A. Noonan.

Sister is survived by her brother Andrew (Jacqueline) Miller; her sisters Frances Gruss and Naureen (Carl) Ehinger; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

A private Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Bertha Ann will be held on April 7, 2021, in the Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery in Fond du Lac.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Bertha Ann in her final years of life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Ruth Ann Baudry

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Sister Ruth Ann Baudry, CSA, baptized Bereneice, died peacefully March 13, 2021, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Bereneice, the daughter of George and Ruth Allain Baudry, was born on April 14, 1933, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  She grew up on a farm near Eden with her two sisters and two brothers. Her education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Marblehead and continued at St. Joseph’s 9th Grade and St. Mary’s Springs Academy, both in Fond du Lac.

Bereneice entered St. Agnes Convent in 1950. In May of 1951 she received her high school diploma from St. Agnes High School. Bereneice made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Ruth Ann on August 15, 1954.

Sister Ruth Ann earned her B.S. in Education from Marian College in August of 1961. Throughout her life, Sister Ruth Ann was a dedicated and gifted educator, honored with many awards for her excellence, creativity, and love for children. Sister Ruth Ann taught primary grades in: East Harlem, New York; Defiance, Ohio; Two Rivers, Wauwatosa, and Hortonville, Wisconsin. For thirty years, she served in the Fond du Lac Catholic Education System (FACES) teaching at the St. Patrick, St. Louis, and St. Joseph campuses. During her years with FACES, Sister Ruth Ann served as a cooperating teacher, supervising student teachers, for which Marian University honored her with a distinguished service award.

A pioneer in individualized instruction, Sister Ruth Ann authored the book, Games for Individualizing Learning, which was published in 1976.

Sister Ruth Ann’s love for teaching extended beyond the daily classroom to include coordination of religious education programs, especially for children with special needs. She was active on the Human Concerns Committee for Marian University and several committees for Holy Family Parish in Fond du Lac.  She is lovingly remembered by the Fond du Lac Hmong Community. Since 1985, Sister Ruth Ann assisted Hmong families in obtaining housing, legal aid, health services, nutrition assistance, and immunizations for their children. She would often personally deliver supplies of clothing, food, and furniture to support families as they settled in the Fond du Lac community.

After retiring from full-time teaching in 2009, Sister Ruth Ann worked half-days at the Christian Parents for Kids Daycare located in Peebles, Wisconsin.

In October of 2016, Sister Ruth Ann joined the community of CSA sisters at Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  There she continued to serve the Hmong community and special needs children until her health became frail.  In November of 2017, Sister Ruth Ann was presented with the Vatican II Award for Service in Education by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, a truly fitting tribute to her life of service to children, immigrants, and the poor.

Sister Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents George and Ruth Baudry; her sister Georgene (Gerard) Clair, her brother Alden (Arlene) Baudry and her niece, Sharon Baudry.  She is survived by her brother LeRoy (Carol) Baudry and her sister Rose Mary (Jerry) Dettlaff, many nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

A private Liturgy of Christian Burial for Sister Ruth Ann will be held on March 22, 2021, in the Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Kenneth Smits, Capuchin, presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Ruth Ann during her final years of life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Christopher Esler

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Sister Mary Christopher Esler, CSA, baptized Carol Gertrude Esler, died peacefully on January 31, 2021, at Nazareth Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Carol Gertrude began her “love affair with life” as she described it, on February 14, 1927. Born that day in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, in her home across the street from St. Mary’s Church, she was the third child of Nicholas Esler and Alfa Deno Esler.  Throughout her life, she treasured her childhood memories of a loving father, mother, and two siblings who nurtured her faith and taught her to be generous especially to those in need.

By the time Carol was in 6th grade, she knew she wanted to work in the healthcare field and become a nurse.  In 8th grade, she sensed a call to religious life, yet relieved that her father thought she was too young to go to the convent, she attended Kaukauna High School taking classes required for the nursing field. In 1945 upon her graduation from high school, God knocked on the door of her heart again with a call to religious life. However, she had a career path she wanted to pursue and chose to enroll as a Cadet Nurse in St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She received her RN certificate in 1948.

Once again, God’s call to religious life touched her heart. Although she received her nursing certificate through the Sisters of St. Agnes, she was not interested in joining their community and began investigating missionary communities of women religious. However, one of the sisters in the nursing school recognized the letters Carol was receiving from other religious congregations and arranged an interview for her with the general superior of the Sisters of St. Agnes. Carol agreed to meet with Mother Angeline because, after all, they did do missionary work in Nicaragua. To her surprise, Mother Angeline invited her to enter the community the following week. Carol accepted the invitation and began what she called her biggest romance in life.

Carol entered the Sisters of St. Agnes in 1948 and, when received into the novitiate in 1949, became Sister Mary Christopher.  She made her first profession of vows on August 15, 1951.

Sister Mary Christopher fulfilled her childhood dream and served in healthcare ministries throughout her life.  She received her BS in Nursing from Marian College in 1951. Following graduation, she worked as a staff nurse at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac.  In 1953, St. Agnes Hospital recognized the need to open an Occupational Therapy Department. Sister Mary Christopher’s talents in crafts and her nursing background made her a perfect candidate for this position. From 1954 to 1957, she attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, earning a certificate as a Registered Occupational Therapist. She then organized, initiated, and expanded the Occupational Therapy Department at St. Agnes Hospital while at the same time working as a nurse therapist and in rehab at Nazareth Heights Infirmary, the retirement center for the Sisters of St. Agnes.  After serving in Pastoral Care at St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin, from 1979—1980, Sister Mary Christopher returned to Fond du Lac for hospice training and worked for five years as a home visit nurse with Hospice Hope.  Returning to CSA community service in 1985, Sister Mary Christopher provided therapeutic services, foot care, and transportation for the elderly sisters at Nazareth Heights and at the new CSA retirement center, Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du Lac until 2008. After her years in full-time ministry, Sister Mary Christopher offered foot care for the sisters with whom she lived at the CSA motherhouse. 

 In 2019, Sister Mary Christopher became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center.  There, her nursing services continued, as she would often spend her days crocheting baby caps for the newborns at St. Agnes Hospital.  Her healing touch will be remembered by many.

Sister Mary Christopher had a contemplative spirit which she expressed through her poetry and storytelling.  She enjoyed biking and being in nature, was an avid bird watcher and lover of wildflowers, and was committed to the care of Earth even advocating that the land near the former Nazareth Heights become a Nature Preserve for the people of Fond du Lac County. She also found great spiritual solace through her participation with the Bread of Life Charismatic Prayer Group.

Sister Mary Christopher was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas and Alfa Esler, her brother, George and her sister, Vera Juckem.

She is survived with great fondness by her nine nieces, one nephew, their families, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

A burial service for Sister Mary Christopher was held on February 3, 2021, at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  A private Memorial Mass for Sister Mary Christopher will be celebrated on February 18, 2021, at Nazareth Center Chapel with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.

Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI, 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center for their care of Sister Mary Christopher in her last years of life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Suzanne Kotel

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Sister Suzanne Kotel, CSA, baptized Mary, died peacefully on December 13, 2020, at Nazareth Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary, the daughter of Joseph and Helen Kotel, was born on January 29, 1927, in Marquette, Michigan. Mary had eight brothers and three sisters, all of whom preceded her in death. She began her high school education at Baraga High School and completed it at Holy Family Orphanage in Marquette where she and her siblings were cared for following her mother’s death in childbirth.

Mary entered St. Agnes Convent in 1945 and made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Suzanne on August 15, 1948.

Sister Suzanne spent her life in service to her CSA sisters and to the poor and homeless. She ministered as a cook, laundress, and homemaker at St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, St. Anthony Hospital in Hays, Kansas, St. Mary’s Parish Convent in Lomira, Wisconsin, St. Mary’s Springs Academy and St. Joseph Springs Farm, both in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. During her many years serving at St. Agnes Convent, Sister Suzanne would be seen driving her station wagon around Fond du Lac early in the morning to pick up day-old bread from local grocery stores to deliver to individuals in need and organizations serving the poor.

For over twenty years, Sister Suzanne volunteered once a week at the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein, Wisconsin, working side by side with the founder, Brother Regis Fust, SDS, Sister Dora Zapf, SDS, and other volunteers packing supplies of clothing, furniture, paper products, food and medical supplies for Catholic missionaries in 14 countries around the world, including the Sisters of St. Agnes serving in Latin America.

In December of 2016, due to frail health, Sister Suzanne joined the community of CSA sisters at Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. There she continued to find ways to help the poor until the time of her death.

Sister Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Helen Kotel; her brothers Raymond, John, Robert, Paul, James, Martin, William, and Eugene; her sisters Evelyn, Josephine, and Helen. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Kotel, her dear friend, Sandra Hannah, many recipients of her generosity, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

A graveside burial service was held for Sister Suzanne at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on December 21, 2020. A private Memorial Mass will be held on January 12, 2021, in the Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Kenneth Smits, Capuchin, presiding.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Suzanne during her final years of life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Rachel Doerfler

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Sister Rachel Doerfler, CSA, baptized Mary Agnes Doerfler, died peacefully on December 11, 2020, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary Agnes was born in Hays, Kansas, on July 19, 1923, to Joseph Doerfler and Agnes Staab Doerfler.  She had ten siblings, four brothers and six sisters.

Mary Agnes entered St. Agnes Convent in 1938 and made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Rachel on August 15, 1942.  She received a BS in Education from Marian College in 1953, an MA in English from Notre Dame University in 1963, an MA in Teaching Religion from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, in 1967.

Sister Rachel’s seventy-eight years of ministry in the congregation included over thirty years as an elementary teacher and principal in Wisconsin, New York, and Indiana, and as a high school religion teacher at Marian High School in Hays, Kansas. She also served the congregation as directress of postulants, vicar general of the congregation for eight years, and regional coordinator for eight years. While serving on the general council, Sister was director of the CSA formation program and was instrumental in initiating the associate program for the community.

Following a year’s sabbatical in 1990, Sister Rachel served for 23 years in pastoral ministry at St. Louis the King parish in Glendale, Arizona, as director of adult faith formation, R.C.I.A., Stephen Ministries, and liturgy/environment. In 2014 she retired to the motherhouse in Fond du Lac where she continued to serve as a volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital and St. Vincent de Paul store while also extending hospitality through prayer, letter-writing to family and friends, creative cards, and reaching out to anyone in need. When her health began to decline, Sister moved to Nazareth Court and Center until a recent illness necessitated her transfer to St. Francis Home.

Sister Rachel was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Agnes Doerfler, her brothers Alfred and Marvin, her sisters Lucille Befort, Isabel Gabel, Mildred Fitzgerald, and Edna Brown.  Sister Rachel’s brother Wilfred also passed away on December 11, 2020. Sister is survived by her brother Harold and her sisters Kathryn Rohr and Annette Seib, her nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

Burial services for Sister Rachel were held at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on December 14, 2020.

A private Memorial Mass will be held on December 21, 2020, at Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett St., Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Rachel.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Ann Walters.

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Sister Ann Walters, CSA, baptized Mary Loraine Walters, died peacefully on November 30, 2020, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Mary Loraine was born in Catherine, Kansas, on December 4, 1928, to Anthony Walters and Lidwina Polifka Walters. She was the third oldest in her family of eleven, five girls and six boys. Living through the Kansas Dust Storms with her family taught Mary the importance of working together and gathering for prayer to sustain one other. She believed that these family experiences nurtured her vocation and prepared her for life in religious community.

Feeling a deep sense of belonging to God from an early age, Sister Ann entered St. Agnes Convent in 1943 and made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1948.

Throughout her life, Sister Ann loved teaching, learning, and offering one-on-one guidance and spiritual support to people of all ages. She received a BS in Education from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She taught for nineteen years in grade schools and high schools in Wisconsin, Kansas, Illinois, and Indiana. In 1967, she earned her MALS in Library Science from Rosary College, River Forest, Illinois. Sister Ann then enjoyed serving as a librarian for nine years in grade schools in Illinois and Indiana and at Beloit Catholic High School, Beloit, Wisconsin.
In 1967, desiring a more contemplative lifestyle, Sister Ann worked at the Renewal Center of the University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, serving as Director of Retreats and offering counseling part-time. This experience led her to pursue a Certificate of Theological Studies and Spirituality from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, California, and an MS in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola of Maryland, Baltimore, after which she did retreat ministry at Franciscan Spirituality Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Sister Ann then actively engaged in ministries of counseling, spiritual direction, and pastoral care in Wisconsin and Kansas for 39 years. She served in Campus Ministry at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, and at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.

Her summer ministries included directing retreats in Wisconsin at the Jesuit Retreat House, Oshkosh, St. Anthony Retreat House, Marathon, and St. Joseph Retreat House, Baileys Harbor.

In 2004, Sister Ann returned to Fond du Lac, living for a time at the CSA motherhouse and with her sisters at Nazareth Court and Center and St. Francis Home. During this time, she volunteered in ministries of hospitality and wellness in the emergency room at St. Agnes Hospital, the Treffert Center, and St. Francis Home until frail health no longer allowed her to engage in these activities.

Sister Ann was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Lidwina Walters, her brothers Herbert, Delbert, Marvin, Daniel and Patrick and her sisters Dolores Giebler and Sister Rose Walters, CSA.

She is survived by her brother Thomas and her sisters Catherine Perino and Nettie Kuhn-Verdi, her nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Burial took place on December 2, 2020, at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a Memorial Mass for Sister Ann will be celebrated on a future date at the Nazareth Center Chapel with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.
Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Ann in her last years of life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Dennis McMahon.

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Sister Mary Dennis McMahon, CSA, baptized Mary Therese, died peacefully at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on September 22, 2020.  Mary Therese was born in Chicago, IL, on April 25, 1928, the oldest of five surviving children, four daughters and one son, in the family of Dennis Francis McMahon and Bridie Margaret Guthrie.  When Mary Therese was fifteen, the family sadly lost their mother during childbirth. While she completed high school at Immaculate Conception High School, Elmhurst, IL, Mary Therese helped her father raise her siblings.  With the resourcefulness that characterized her throughout her life, she divided the household responsibilities with her next oldest sister, each one managing the tasks which best suited her ability.

Having sensed a call to religious life early on, she was particularly inspired by the spirit of the Sisters of St. Agnes, her high school teachers.  Mary Therese entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, WI, after graduation in 1946 and, as Sister Mary Dennis, made profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1949.

Her lifelong ministry of education took her to Catholic parish schools in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Indiana. She received her BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac and her MS in Elementary Education from Fordham University, Bronx, NY; she earned numerous post-graduate credits in Administration from Manhattan College, NY, and Catholic University, Washington, DC.  Well-prepared professionally and with a natural gift for administration, Sister dedicated herself to teaching at all grades levels in elementary school and served as principal both in grade school and high school for more than fifty years. From 1980-1982, she served as Associate Superintendent of the Fort Wayne-South diocesan schools. Perhaps the most challenging position, as well as a greatly rewarding one for Sister, was assuming principalship of St. Joseph Elementary School in Chicago in 1988. This school, located near the Cabrini Green public housing units, offered at-risk students a quality education and required total engagement of the staff to accomplish the task. In this final administrative role, Sister’s efforts to develop a space of welcome and belonging for children and their parents were the culmination of a life of leading and learning, of personal investment in the creation of a climate where children, teachers, and staff might grow in becoming their best selves.

Always a community-oriented woman, upon her retirement as an educator in 2001, Sister Mary Dennis remained in Chicago where while living with another Sister of St. Agnes she delighted in providing childcare during the day for two adopted children while their single mother served as principal in a local Catholic school.  In 2005 she moved to Fond du Lac to be a resident at Nazareth Court and Center where she assisted other sisters as she was able and tutored Marian University students until her frail health no longer permitted these volunteer activities.

Sister Mary Dennis was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis Francis McMahon and Bridie Margaret McMahon; her brother Vincent; and her sisters Margaret Frances McMahon, Joan Detloff and Isabelle DaPrato.  She is survived by her nieces and nephews and by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

Cremation has taken place.  Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in private services at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.  Burial will be in St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, WI.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center who cared for Sister Mary Dennis in her final years, and to all who provided care for her at St. Agnes Hospital.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Colombiere Revelant.

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Sister Colombiere Revelant, CSA, baptized Stephania, died peacefully June 12, 2020, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Stephania was born in West Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 21, 1914, to Ferdinand Revelant and Domenica Valente Revelant. She was the first of six children including one boy and five girls. Having completed two years at West Milwaukee High School, in August 1931 Stephania entered the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes from her home parish of St. Florian. She received her diploma from St. Agnes High School in 1933. She made her profession of vows as a Sister of St. Agnes on August 15, 1934, with the religious name Sister Colombiere.

Sister attended Oshkosh State Teachers College, then went on to receive a BS in Education from Loyola University Chicago with majors in History and English. Sister ministered in elementary education for 45 years in Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Wisconsin. For 14 of those years, she served simultaneously as teacher and principal in parish schools in Kewaskum and Beloit, Wisconsin, and in New Haven and Fort Wayne, Indiana. From 1954-1959, she was a faculty member at Sacred Heart High School, Yonkers, New York.

Following her retirement from teaching, Sister Colombiere happily returned for 16 years to her roots, St. Florian in West Milwaukee. She helped teachers and tutored students in the school; visited the sick; phoned the elderly of the parish; assisted at St. Florian’s Fund Raisers; enjoyed the company in the 59ers Club with other senior parishioners; and acted as Eucharistic Minister and Lector during the Eucharistic Liturgies. Her enjoyment of these ministries and of daily life was shown by her welcoming manner and helpfulness to others. These characteristics continued when, in full retirement, Sister Colombiere joined the Sisters at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, in 2003.

Sister Colombiere was preceded in death by her parents Ferdinand Revelant and Domenica Valente Revelant; her sisters Elsie Inkmann, Mary Light, and Angeline Sadowski.

Sister is survived by her brother Fred Revelant, her sister Carol Woodcock, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, a Memorial Mass will be held in private services at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.

Burial took take place on June 16, 2020, at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Colombiere in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Ann McKean.

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Sister Ann McKean, CSA, formerly Sister Corona, died peacefully at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on April 11, 2020.

Margaret Ann McKean was born in Adams County, Indiana, on August 1, 1935, to Millard McKean and Margaret Robinson McKean.  Her family included four siblings, one boy and three girls. Sister Ann made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1957, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. 

Sister received a BA in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; an MA in Theology from Fordham University, New York, New York; and a PhD in Historical Theology from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Sister was an elementary school teacher for eleven years in Mayville and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Des Plaines, Illinois; and East Harlem, Bronx, and Yonkers, New York.  She taught at the university level for four years at the University of Texas, Austin; five years at Sacred Heart Seminary, Hales Corners, Wisconsin; five years at Marian University, Fond du Lac; and in 1988-1989 was a Visiting Professor at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin. During more than twenty-five years at Christian Brothers University, Memphis, Tennessee, where she served as Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department from 1991-1994, Sister Ann taught courses in scripture, religious history, Christian spirituality, science and religion, and world religions. She also taught theology and Scripture in Nicaragua and Honduras during her winter breaks, gave numerous presentations on women in religion and did applied research on the future of religious associates in her own congregation and the broader Church.  Among her other pursuits while in Memphis, Sister Ann took flying lessons, training to become a licensed pilot.

Sister Ann was selected by her religious congregation to attend the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995, as a UN Observer. She was the founder and first executive director of Adelante Mujer/Advance Woman. This project provides financial support to women in the Caribbean Coastal area of Nicaragua who desire to become doctors and are enrolled in the medical program of URACCAN University in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.  

Sister Ann was preceded in death by her parents Millard McKean and Margaret Robinson McKean, and her brother Roy McKean.

She is survived by her sisters Judith Jones and Janet McKean, her nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, a Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held in private services at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Memorials can be directed to the project Sister Ann founded and directed: Adelante Mujer/Advance Woman, 757 S. Main St., Suite 9, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center for their care of Sister Ann in her last years, and to all who provided care for her at St. Agnes Hospital.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Helen Renzelmann.

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Sister Helen Renzelmann, CSA, formerly known as Sister Gregory, died peacefully March 20, 2020, at Nazareth Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Helen was born March 23, 1921, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to Frank B. Renzelmann and Martha Mondloch Renzelmann. She was the oldest in a family of five girls. She entered the Congregation of St. Agnes in 1938 after graduating from Sheboygan High School. She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1941, with the religious name Sister Gregory.

In 1949 Sister received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She continued her education, earning an MA in History from Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois. Among her varied post-graduate studies were: Certification as a Newspaper Fund Fellow in 1965 from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; an NDEA Fellowship in English in 1968 from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts; training sessions in Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, Michigan; Pastoral Leadership Training Institute, Mary Manse in Toledo, Ohio. Sister Helen engaged in numerous formal learning experiences over the years as she responded to new opportunities to minister among the people of God.

Sister Helen was an elementary teacher for twelve years and a secondary teacher for sixteen years in Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. In 1969 she transitioned from teaching into Campus Ministry in Thibodaux, Louisiana, for five years. For the following twenty years she did parish ministry in Kansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and New Mexico. Upon returning to Fond du Lac, she did grant research and prospect identification in the Marian College Development Department from 1989-1996. Sister Helen then dedicated her energy to volunteer roles in the Fond du Lac community, including at St. Agnes Hospital--Support Services; Fond du Lac Area Information and Referral (FAIR) helping to set up a data base for social services; Family Resource Center; and Fond du Lac Center for Spirituality and Healing. In 2019, Sister Helen became the first recipient of the Spirituality and Healing Award in honor of her fourteen years as volunteer receptionist at the Center.

Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Martha Renzelmann; her sisters Mary Hildegarde Blyth, Barbara Schrimpf, and Rose Ross. At the time of Sister’s death, she was survived by her sister Gertrude Lawrence. Since Gertrude’s death in May 2020, Sister Helen is survived by nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.
Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, a Memorial Mass will be held in private services at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, presiding.

Burial took place on March 23, 2020, at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center and to the staff of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Helen in the last years of her life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Rose Walters.

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Sister Rose Walters, CSA, formerly known as Sister Thomas More, died peacefully on December 15, 2019, at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI.

Rose was born in Catherine, KS, on October 11, 1933, to Anthony Walters and Lidwina Polifka Walters.  She had four sisters and six brothers.

Having initially attended Girls Catholic High in Hays, KS, Rose entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, WI, in 1952, and graduated from St. Agnes High School.  She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1955.

Sister Rose received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, WI; earned her MS in Education at Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS; and was certified in Pastoral Ministry and Clinical Pastoral Education by St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.  Throughout her life Sister pursued further education to enhance and broaden her professional preparation. Sister Rose was an elementary school teacher for 25 years in WI, OH, and IN.  She was also Assistant Principal at St. Henry School, Fort Wayne, IN for six years. She ministered as Pastoral Assistant in New Haven, IN; in Parish Administration in New Almelo, KS, for four years; and did Pastoral Ministry at St. Nicholas of Myra Parish in Hays, KS.  She served in Campus Ministry at Kansas State University for six years.  Sister Rose was a Pastoral Minister at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Salina, KS, for 19 years.

In 2014 Sister Rose returned to Fond du Lac where she energetically engaged in numerous opportunities to volunteer.  She offered the gift of presence, building personal relationships and encouraging people as they experienced times of critical need. Sister’s heart was drawn to those who were poor or marginalized.  Her volunteer ministries included: tutor for Fond du Lac Adult Literacy Program; facilitator and mentor in the Getting Ahead Program sponsored by the St. Vincent De Paul Society; and spiritual care volunteer at Hospice Home of Hope.  On a lighter side, Sister Rose was a devoted fan of her sports teams, the Kansas University Jayhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Sister Rose was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Lidwina Walters; her brothers Herbert, Delbert, Marvin, Daniel, Patrick; and her sister Dolores Giebler.

She is survived by her brother Thomas; her sisters Catherine Perino, Nettie Kuhn-Berdi and Sister Ann Walters, CSA; her nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Cremation has taken place.  There will be a Prayer Service on Thursday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m. at Nazareth Court and Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 9, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI.  The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin.  Burial will take place at St. Catherine Cemetery, Catherine, KS, at a date to be determined.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, and to the staff of Hospice Hope, for their care of Sister Rose in the past months.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Rebecca Endres.

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Sister Rebecca Endres, CSA, baptized Mary Bernadette, died peacefully October 26, 2019, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Her family and the Sisters were at her side during the last days of her life.

Mary was born on the family farm in Waunakee, Wisconsin, on August 16, 1927, to Aloysius Endres and Monica Schwab Endres. A farming family, the Endres children included eight girls and four boys.

Mary entered St. Agnes Convent on August 29, 1942, having attended St. Mary’s Springs Academy for her freshman year. She completed her high school education at St. Agnes High School, Fond du Lac.  Sister Rebecca made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1946. In 1969 Sister received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac.  She went on to earn a Master’s in Religious Education in 1976 from St. Meinrad College, Indiana.  Throughout her life, she continued to take post-graduate courses in theology. 

Sister Rebecca ministered in education for 54 years as elementary school teacher, elementary school principal, religious education director and teacher, and tutor.  She was also a member of the Foster Grandparent Program from 1990-1998.  After her years as educator, Sister ministered in pastoral care at St. Agnes Hospital and the Central Wisconsin Cancer Center from 1998 until she became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center in 2016.

Sister Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents Aloysius Endres and Monica Schwab Endres; her brothers Leo, Aloysius, Matthias and John Endres; her sisters Cyrilla Dahmen, Rutilla Paar, Sister Yvonne Endres, CSA, Dolores Ganser, Monica Statz, Lillian Archer, and Sister Marie Endres, CSA.

Sister Rebecca is survived by her many faithful nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Rebecca Endres will be Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 9:00 in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  A prayer service will take place that day at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered October 31, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider.  Burial will be at a later date in St. John’s Church Cemetery, Waunakee, Wisconsin.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and to Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Rebecca in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Colette Hartman.

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Sister Colette (Donald Marie/María) Hartman died on August 8, 2019 in Managua, Nicaragua.

Sister Colette Hartman, CSA, formerly Sister Donald Marie Hartman, was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 1928. She entered St. Agnes Convent in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and pronounced her first vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1950. Sister Colette received a bachelor’s degree from Marian College and her master’s degree in education from Marquette University.

From 1950 to 1962 she served as an elementary school teacher in Watertown, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in Elmhurst, Illinois.  In 1962, Sister Colette was sent to Managua, Nicaragua, where she served as a teacher and missionary for the rest of her life. Sister Colette is remembered for her great passion for the poor and for the promotion of human rights and the dignity of those with whom she lived and served.

Her last ministry was at CANTERA, a center in Managua for promoting education, growth and development among the people, where she was fondly known as Sister María to the Nicaraguans she served.

At the age of 91, with 57 of those years having been lived in Nicaragua, Sister Colette became a light that will continue to accompany us and illuminate our path in the process of continuing to build a more just world.

Visitation was held at CANTERA in Managua on Friday, August 9, 2019 with funeral honors and Mass of Christian Burial on August 10. Burial followed in the Central Cemetery of Managua.

“I believe that the village will have what it needs and that the Nicaraguan people are fighters and always find some way to be happy; they always find a reason to laugh, to dance – they love life and only need work to prosper.”

Give a donation in honor of Sister Marie Endres.

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Sister Marie Endres, CSA, baptized Emma Walburga, died peacefully July 11, 2019, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. 

Emma Endres was born in Waunakee, Wisconsin, on October 26, 1923, to Aloysius Leo Endres and Monica Schwab Endres.  She was the eighth child in a family of twelve, including eight girls and four boys. Farming was the family business.

Emma entered St. Agnes Convent in 1938 and, as Sister Marie, made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1943.  Sister Marie received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in 1957. She then earned an MEd, with an emphasis on reading, from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an MRE in Religious Education from St. Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana.

Sister Marie was dedicated to the education ministry throughout her life.  She taught primary grades for 40 years in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. For a total of 14 of those years, she was a teaching principal: at St. Mary, Eden, Wisconsin; St. Lawrence, Muncie, Indiana; and St. Mary, Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania. Sister served for 10 years as the receptionist in the main office at St. Mary’s Springs High School. When she retired from full-time roles in school, she volunteered as a foster grandparent at St. Patrick and St. Joseph Schools, Fond du Lac for 16 years. In 2013 Sister Marie became a resident at Nazareth Court and Center.

Sister Marie Endres was preceded in death by her parents Aloysius Leo Endres and Monica Schwab Endres; her brothers Leo, Aloysius, Matthias, and John; her sisters Rutilla Paar, Cyrilla Dahmen, Sister Yvonne Endres, CSA, Dolores Ganser, Monica Statz and Lillian Acker.

Sister is survived by her sister, Sister Rebecca Endres, CSA; her many nieces, nephews, other relatives; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Marie Endres will be on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  A prayer service will be held July 19, at 11:00 a.m., at Nazareth Court and Center Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 2 p.m., at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider.  Additional services and burial will take place at St. John the Baptist Church, Waunakee, Wisconsin.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Annette Herr.

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Sister Annette Herr, CSA, formerly Sister Mary Michael, died peacefully June 28, 2019, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Annette was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on January 2, 1930, to George Herr and Amalia Rammer Herr. She had two siblings, a brother Richard and a sister Rosemary.

Annette attended North High School in Sheboygan for two years. She entered St. Agnes Convent in 1945, continued her studies, and graduated from St. Agnes High School, Fond du Lac. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1949, as Sister Mary Michael. Sister was initially a student at Marian College of Fond du Lac; she later enrolled at St. Louis College of Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri, and received a BS in Pharmacy. She regularly updated her professional knowledge through classes and conferences related to pharmacy. In 1972, she earned her MA in Theology from St. Mary University, San Antonio, Texas.

Sister Annette ministered first as an elementary teacher at St. Mary’s School, Ellis, Kansas, and at St. Patrick’s School, Hudson, Wisconsin. Her interest in medicine and healthcare led her to help part-time at St. Agnes Hospital pharmacy for several years while attending summer school at Marian College and, ultimately, to complete her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. Her ministry as a pharmacist continued for 42 years in hospitals in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Hays, Kansas; San Antonio, Texas; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sister Annette was an active member in professional societies and was elected to several leadership positions by her peers in those organizations.

In San Antonio, Sister Annette served not only as a staff pharmacist and faculty practitioner in a teaching hospital, but also as a mentor sharing values and skills with less-experienced pharmacists at a County facility dedicated to care of impoverished clients. In addition to her professional engagement, she also shared her faith and gifts through volunteering as a parish catechist and Eucharistic minister for years at St. Joseph Parish, Hays, KS; St. Paul Parish, San Antonio, TX; and St. Florian Parish, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Preceding Sister Annette in death are her parents George Herr and Amalia Rammer Herr and her brother Richard Herr. Sister Annette is survived by her sister Rosemary Thomas, nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Cremation has taken place. A Prayer Service will be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in Nazareth Court and Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Fr. Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Annette in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Paul Ann Dinkel.

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Sister Paul Ann, CSA, (Agnese Dinkel) died peacefully on June 1, 2019, at Nazareth Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Agnese was born in Victoria, Kansas, on October 12, 1933, to Frank M. Dinkel and Rosa Hertel Dinkel. Her family included 10 girls and 5 boys.

In 1951, Agnese entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1954, with the religious name Sister Paul Ann. One of her sisters and one brother also entered religious life: Sister Francis Rose, CSA, and Father Harvey, OFM Cap.

Sister received a license in dietary service from M.P.T.I. in Fond du Lac and a Baking Certificate from New York Restaurant School where she took classes in culinary arts. Sister was a homemaker in CSA convents for 23 years in Kansas, Indiana, Wisconsin, and New York. She spent two years at St. Anthony’s Hospital, Hays, Kansas, and served at The Leo House in New York City, New York, from 1985 to 1996, working in dietary and food services at both institutions. Sister Paul Ann was on the staff of the Food Service Department at St. John’s New Horizons and St. John’s Assisted Living in Hays, Kansas, from 1996 to 2006. In her last years in Hays, Kansas, she offered a ministry of presence to the staff and students at TMP-Marian High School.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents Frank M. Dinkel and Rosa (Hertel) Dinkel; her brothers Clarence, Ed and Hilarius; her sisters Julitta Dechant, Bertha Prewo, Melinda Griebel, Rita Rohr, Regina Dechant, Irene Scruggs, and Sister Francis Rose.

Sister Paul Ann is survived by her brothers George Dinkel and Father Harvey Dinkel; her sisters Viola Richmeier and Mary Younker; and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed and ministered. Visitation for Sister Paul Ann will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A Prayer Service will be held that same day at 11:00 a.m. at Nazareth Center Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on June 5, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside at the liturgy. Additional services and burial will be held at St. Fidelis Parish and Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas. Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, and the staff of Hospice Hope, for their care of Sister Paul Ann Dinkel in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Martha Kretschmer.

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Sister Martha Kretschmer, CSA, formerly Sister Albert Marie, died peacefully on May 28, 2019, at St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Martha was born in New Munster, Wisconsin, on October 22, 1930, to John Kretschmer and Louisa Epping Kretschmer. Her family included five boys and five girls.

Martha entered St. Agnes Convent in 1945 and graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1948. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1950, with the religious name Sister Albert Marie.

Sister Martha received a BS in Education from Marian College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and an MA in Elementary Education and Administration from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Sister Martha was a teacher for 37 years and a teacher-principal for 12 years during that time in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. She continued to serve as principal for 11 more years in Indiana and Pennsylvania. In 1994 Sister Martha received the Light of Learning Award as an outstanding teacher of the year in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana.

After completing her years in educational ministry, she worked for seven years at St. Bernard Parish, Madison, Wisconsin, making pastoral visits to the elderly. In 2005 when she retired to Nazareth Court in Fond du Lac, she assisted as a seamstress in the sisters’ sewing room.

Sister Martha was preceded in death by her parents John and Louisa Kretschmer; her brothers Joseph, Arthur, Father Albert, S.V.D, and Henry; her sisters Agnes Kerkman, Mary Richter and Rose Kretschmer.

Sister Martha is survived by her brother Edmund Kretschmer, her sister Armella Rossmiller, her nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Martha Kretschmer will begin at 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2019, at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. There will also be a prayer service at 11:00 a.m. on the same day.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, June 3, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Martha in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Martina Kuhn.

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Sister Martina Kuhn, CSA, formerly Sister Frederick, died peacefully May 20, 2019, at St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Martina was born in Ellis, Kansas, on January 2, 1924, to Fred Kuhn and Catherine Befort Kuhn. One of six children, she had four sisters and one brother.

Martina entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, from Antonino, Kansas, in August 1939. As Sister Frederick, she made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1943.

For 32 years she ministered as a homemaker for the Sisters of St. Agnes at a number of their mission houses in Wisconsin and New York. Sister Martina worked for two years in the dietary kitchen at St. Clare Hospital, Monroe, Wisconsin. She was food supervisor for one year at St. John’s Rest Home, Victoria, Kansas.

In the remaining years of her active ministry, Sister Martina helped those in need in a variety of ways. She served as a teacher aide, school office worker, library aide and tutor. She enrolled at St. Catherine College, St. Paul, Minnesota, during the academic year 1982-83 and received a certificate in pastoral ministry at the completion of the program. She was engaged in pastoral work at St. Fidelis Parish, St. Anthony Hospital, and Valley Hope Treatment Center—all in the Hays area.

In retirement Sister Martina found opportunities to volunteer her service and presence, including: St. Clare Terrace reception desk and Beacon House in Fond du Lac; Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home and the Community Assistance Center, Hays, Kansas.

Sister Martina was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Catherine Kuhn, her sisters Henrietta Wasinger, Bertha Dodd, Adeline Dreher, Loretta Pfannenstiel and her brother Alfred Kuhn.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a prayer service for Sister Martina at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and the staff of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Martina in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Gonzaga Hron.

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Sister Gonzaga (Louise LaVern) Hron died on March 20, 2019, at St. Agnes Hospital.

Louise was born in West Bend, Wisconsin, on June 7, 1945, to Lloyd R. and Florence C. Gonnering Hron. She was the second of a family of five children. She attended grade school at Holy Trinity School in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, where she was taught by the Sisters of St Agnes. Louise graduated from Kewaskum Community High School. She attended Marian College of Fond du Lac for two years, working each summer as a secretary at Regal Ware in Kewaskum.

In 1965 she entered the Sisters of St Agnes and also continued her studies at Marian College. She professed vows as a Sister of St. Agnes on August 15,1968, with the religious name Sister Gonzaga.

She graduated from Marian College in 1968 with a BA in Biology and Math. A licensed secondary school teacher, Sister Gonzaga taught for 10 years at St. Mary Springs High School, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Beloit Catholic High School, Beloit, Wisconsin; and Immaculate Conception High School, Elmhurst, Illinois.

After transitioning out of the field of education, Sister Gonzaga’s passion was to serve others through cooking. Sister Gonzaga ministered for many years in dietary services at large residences of the congregation such as Nazareth Heights Infirmary and Boyle Apostolic Center. She was generous in offering her skill and experiences, together with other Sisters, to prepare festive meals for special occasions often baking and creating fabulously decorated cakes. Sister Gonzaga’s other love was care for Earth: preservation of natural resources, restoration of prairies and beautifying areas that all could enjoy.

Sister Gonzaga was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd Hron and Florence Gonnering Hron, her brother Lloyd, Jr., and her brother-in-law Ronald Ruplinger.

She is survived by her sisters Sheila (Richard) Whiting, Monica (Leo) Lettow and Ann Ruplinger; her nieces, nephews and their families; many friends and the Sisters of St Agnes with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, April 1, 2019, at 2:30pm in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful for the physicians and staff at St. Agnes Hospital who provided care for Sister Gonzaga.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Hornung.

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Sister Mary Hornung, CSA, baptized Marilyn Hornung, died peacefully January 25, 2019, at St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Marilyn was born in Sauk City, WI, on March 13, 1934, to Edgar Hornung and Verna Guethlein Hornung.

Marilyn was an only child. Marilyn entered St. Agnes Convent in 1953 and attended St. Agnes High School, receiving a diploma in 1955. Sister Mary made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1957.

Sister Mary received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and an MS in Education Administration from Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan. Throughout her life, Sister Mary was committed to ongoing professional development in elementary and religious education as well as in pastoral ministry.

Having taught at all grade levels in elementary schools for 23 years, Sister Mary served as a principal for an additional 11 years. Following her years of service in parish schools in WI and OH, Sister Mary was a Director of Religious Education from 1991-2004 in Beloit, Madison and Port Washington, Wisconsin. Until her retirement in 2011, Sister Mary was involved in pastoral services at St. Andrew Parish, Verona, Wisconsin.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Verna Hornung. Sister Mary is survived by cousins, friends and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Mary Hornung will be held January 30, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will take place at 11:00 a.m. at Nazareth Center Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:15 p.m. on January 30, 2019, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and the staff of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Mary in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Barbara Rose Miskelly.

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Barbara Rose Miskelly, CSA, baptized Kathleen Mary, died peacefully November 29, 2018, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Kathleen was born in Evanston, IL, on October 23, 1933, to Robert F. Miskelly and Catherine Sheridan Miskelly. There were three siblings: Robert, Barbara, and Kathleen.

Kathleen entered St. Agnes Convent in 1947. She attended St. Agnes High School, graduating in 1950. Sister Barbara Rose made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1952. Sister received a BS in Elementary Education, with a major in social studies, from Marian College of Fond du Lac in 1962. She went on to earn an MS in Elementary Education from Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan, in 1974. During the 70s and 80s she continued advancing her education, earning credits in religion and school administration.

Sister Barbara Rose ministered as a teacher for 32 years in Yonkers, New York; in Two Rivers, Fond du Lac, Wauwatosa, and North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; and in Bensenville, Illinois. She became the administrator at St. Charles Borromeo School in Bensenville and ministered there for 22 years. When she retired from the field of education, she volunteered at the Elmhurst Memorial Hospital gift shop and as an office assistant for the apartments where she lived.

Sister Barbara Rose was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Catherine Miskelly, her brother Robert, and her sister Barbara Knickerbocker. She is survived by her nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Barbara Rose will be on Tuesday, December 4, starting at 9:00 a.m. in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m., on December 4, 2018, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937. The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Barbara Rose in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Kathleen Schmitz.

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Sister Kathleen Schmitz, CSA, formerly known as Sister David Gerard, died peacefully on November 22, 2018, at Nazareth Court and Center Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Kathleen was born in Brothertown, Wisconsin, on August 4, 1936, to Ambrose Schmitz and Esther Andrew Schmitz. The family later moved to Marytown where Kathleen, her two sisters, and a brother attended St. Mary Grade School.

Following her graduation from New Holstein High School in 1955, Kathleen entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac. On August 15, 1958, she made first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister David Gerard.

Sister Kathleen ministered as a homemaker for 28 years with the sisters living in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and New York. She often was part of a team of sisters who were responsible for food preparation in the large CSA institutions: St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Nazareth Heights Infirmary, and Boyle Apostolic Center in Fond du Lac; Immaculate Conception, Elmhurst, Illinois; and Sacred Heart, Yonkers, New York. She also worked in the dietary department at Mary Hill Retirement Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for six years. Sister ministered for 14 years in Food Service at The Leo House, New York City, where her baking skill was a welcome addition for sisters and guests alike. When Sister Kathleen retired and returned to Fond du Lac in 2006, she volunteered with Hospice Hope, was a Eucharistic Minister at the hospital, helped at Salvatorian Center in St. Nazianz, and baked occasionally for the Fondy Food Pantry.

Over the years Sister enriched her life through various courses, receiving certificates in Dietary Administration for Food Service Managers, St. Louis University; Church and Sacraments, Marian College of Fond du Lac; Spiritual Development Program, School of Spirituality, Yonkers; and Ministry with Older Adults, Marymount Manhattan College, New York City.

Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Willard Schmitz.

She is survived by her sisters Mary Alice Schleicher and Elizabeth Karls and by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Kathleen Schmitz will be on November 30, 2018, starting at 9:00 a.m. in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m., on November 30, 2018, in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Kathleen in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Michaela O’Brien.

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Sister Michaela O’Brien, CSA, baptized Mary Ellen O’Brien, died October 17, 2018, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, WI.

Mary Ellen was born in Eden, WI, on January 15, 1920, to James H. O’Brien and Estelle Stack O’Brien. The family of seven included three boys and four girls.

Mary Ellen graduated from St. Mary’s Springs Academy in 1936. She received a BS in Physical Education and Social Studies from UW-La Crosse in 1941.

In 1943 Mary Ellen entered St. Agnes Convent. She made profession of vows as Sister Michaela in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1946.

She attended Marian College during her years of religious formation, studying theology, English, math and education. In her early years of teaching, she enrolled in summer courses such as drama, physics and chemistry at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI. In 1958 Sister earned an MS in Education from Marquette with a major in guidance. She furthered her professional education at various colleges through courses in secondary school administration, physics and Scripture.

Sister Michaela taught at St. Mary Springs, Fond du Lac, in a total of five different academic disciplines, for 21 years beginning in 1946. She was an assistant administrator and teacher at Beloit Catholic High School from 1967-1971. She was also appointed to several roles of service within the congregation: director of the aspirancy for ten years; vocation director for 15 years; apostolic councilor for secondary education for eight years. She completed her long life in ministry where she began it, returning to St. Mary Springs in 1979. For more than 30 years, she continued to support her alma mater, assuming various staff and volunteer positions, including assistant administrator, guidance counselor, alumni director and assistant in the archives.

Sister Michaela exemplified in her personal life qualities she encouraged in her students ~ faith, commitment, discipline, excellence, loyalty, concern for others and perseverance.

Sister Michaela was preceded in death by her parents James H. O’Brien and Estelle Stack O’Brien; her brothers Thomas O’Brien and James O’Brien; and her sisters Florence Flood, Helen Gellings, and Alice Michels.

She is survived by her brother Patrick O’Brien, many devoted nieces and nephews, other relatives, friends, colleagues, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Michaela O’Brien will be held at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI, on October 25, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Family Church, 271 Fourth Street Way, Fond du Lac, WI, on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at 4:00 p.m. The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin. Burial will be in St. Joseph Springs Cemetery at a later date. Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and the staff of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Michaela in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Albert Flynn.

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Sister Mary Albert Flynn, CSA, baptized Patricia Flynn, died peacefully October 16, 2018, at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI.

Patricia Flynn was born in Yonkers, NY, on October 22, 1933, to Albert Flynn and Mary Terry Flynn. Her family included a brother Robert and a sister Betty.

Patricia entered St. Agnes Convent in 1951 following her graduation from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, NY. She made her profession of vows as Sister Mary Albert in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1954.

Sister Mary Albert received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, WI, in 1959. She received an MA in Education, with a minor in history, from Marygrove College, Detroit, MI, in 1973. She also did post graduate study at Fordham University, Bronx, NY; St. Francis College, Fort Wayne, IN; and Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI.

Sister Mary Albert ministered throughout her life in the field of education. She taught upper elementary and junior high school students for 50 years in parish schools in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and New York. In her final eight years at Holy Family School, Bronx, Sister was a fulltime tutor for students in need of special help. During 2004 she cared for her father who was in frail health. She retired to Fond du Lac in 2005, residing at St. Agnes Convent and volunteering until she moved to assisted living at Nazareth Court and Center.

Sister was a quiet person who enjoyed learning of all kinds; she delighted to see students become involved in their own education and advance to challenging high schools. A favorite pastime for Sister was creating handicrafts, especially in preparation for the Christmas season. She would often donate her work to groups that raised funds for charitable causes.

Sister Mary Albert was preceded in death by her parents Albert Flynn and Mary Terry Flynn and her sister Betty Canzio. She is survived by her brother Robert Flynn, nieces, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Mary Albert will be held at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI, on Friday, October 26, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Center Chapel.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, October 26, 2018, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at a later date in St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Mary Albert in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Jane Wipperfurth.

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Sister Mary Jane Wipperfurth, CSA, formerly Sister Anthony, died peacefully October 10, 2018, at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary Jane was born to Anton Wipperfurth and Christine Spahn Wipperfurth on August 30, 1927, in Waunakee, Wisconsin. She was one of six children, three girls and three boys.

Mary Jane entered St. Agnes Convent in 1942. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Anthony on August 15, 1946. She ministered for 40 years as a homemaker at missions of the congregation in Wisconsin, Indiana, New York, and Illinois. All of Sister’s assignments took her to large institutions staffed by CSA, including St. Mary’s Springs Academy, St. Agnes Hospital, Boyle Home for the Aged, and St. Agnes Convent. In those settings, she worked as part of a team of other sisters to provide dietary services not only for the sisters there but also for students, patients and residents of the respective institutions — a demanding challenge which she accepted in a spirit of loving service. She also served for 12 years in the laundry at Nazareth Heights Infirmary, home for the retired sisters.

Sister loved to cook and to keep things looking clean and in order. She enjoyed embroidery and spending time visiting the sick and elderly. While at Nazareth Court and Center, she took special care of the many plants throughout the building. Sister was a gentle, helpful and friendly person. Her lovely smile reflected the serenity and gratitude with which she accepted daily life.

Sister Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Anton Wipperfurth and Christine Spahn Wipperfurth; her brother Anthony; and her sister Joan Statz. She is survived by her brothers Russell Wipperfurth and Leroy Wipperfurth; her sister Lorraine Schlimgen; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Mary Jane will be held at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Monday, October 15, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2018, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Mary Jane in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Lee Spielbauer.

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Sister Mary Lee Spielbauer, CSA, baptized Catherine Audrey Spielbauer, died peacefully Sunday, September 30, 2018, at St. Francis Home.

Catherine Audrey was born in Cudahy, Wisconsin, on September 4, 1923, to Leo Spielbauer and Mary Vander Loop Spielbauer. She was one of eleven children, nine boys and two girls.

She attended South Milwaukee High School for three years then, having moved, graduated from Menasha High in 1941. After working several years in a factory, Catherine joined the Cadet Nursing Corps since nurses were in short supply. In 1944 she entered St. Agnes School of Nursing, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, receiving her diploma in 1947. She worked for a year at St. Agnes Hospital before moving to Chicago. She worked full-time there as an operating room nurse while studying for a degree in nursing at Loyola University. Catherine returned to Fond du Lac to complete her studies, earning her BS in Nursing Education from Marian College in 1954.

She entered St. Agnes Convent in 1956 and made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1958, as Sister Mary Lee. She ministered as a nurse for sixteen years at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; St. Thomas Hospital, Colby, Kansas; and St. Clare Hospital, Monroe, Wisconsin. Sister continued to take courses throughout her life to keep updated in nursing and in theology. In 1974 she joined the Marian College Nursing Division serving as a Clinical Instructor in various professional areas. She completed her ministry at Marian in the role of College Health Nurse.

After retiring from nursing in 1990, Sister Mary Lee did community service at St. Agnes Convent. She assisted in the congregation’s archives until 2002, contributing her organizational skill, attention to detail and appreciation of history. She also volunteered among the sisters at Nazareth Court and Center. Sister Mary Lee had many talents and interests in life. She enjoyed baking, knitting, quilting, painting and other types of art work, to name a few.

Sister Mary Lee was preceded in death by her parents Leo Spielbauer and Mary Vanderloop Spielbauer, her brothers Edgar, Robert, Donald, Richard, Norman, Marvin, and twins John and Mike who died at birth. Sister is survived by her brother Leroy Spielbauer, her sister Carol Konetzke, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Mary Lee will be at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Friday, October 5, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. A prayer service will follow in Nazareth Center Chapel at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Friday, October 5, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Mary Lee in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Teresita Inés Argüello.

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Sister Teresita Inés Argüello, CSA, Victoria Argüello Hernandez, died peacefully on September 20, 2018, at St. Francis Home.

Victoria was born in Bluefields, Nicaragua, on December 23, 1925. She was an only child whose mother died when Victoria was very young. She was adopted into the family of Jose Inocente Argüello and had a stepbrother, Pedro Jose Gonzalez. She was educated by the Divina Pastora Sisters in Bluefields and for several years did clerical work in her home town.

Drawn by news that missionary sisters had arrived in 1945 to serve on Nicaragua’s Atlantic Coast, she was one of the first two Nicaraguan women to join the pioneer community of Sisters of St. Agnes at Waspam in June 1948. Victoria continued her religious formation at St. Agnes Convent in Fond du Lac, WI, from 1949-1951. She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1951, as Sister Teresita Inés.

After returning to Nicaragua in 1951, Sister taught primary students and was a catechist for 26 years in Managua, Puerto Cabezas, Rosita and Waspam. Regular mission trips to the villages along the Coco River always held a special place in Sister’s heart. The second half of Sister’s ministry was devoted to pastoral service, including visiting the sick, leading prayer groups, and offering a caring presence to those in need. She enjoyed needlework, macrame and weaving, and she instructed women who were interested in learning those skills. After celebrating 50 years as a religious in Nicaragua, Sister Teresita became a resident of Nazareth Center in Fond du Lac in 2001. During the last four years of her life, she resided at St. Francis Home.

Sister Teresita Inés was the last living member of her family. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Teresita Inés will be held at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Thursday, September 27, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 27, 2018, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond dü Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope, for their care of Sister Teresita in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Rita Little.

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Sister Rita Little, CSA, formerly Sister Mary Robert, died peacefully August 29, 2018, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Rita was born in West Allis, Wisconsin, on September 5, 1926, to Robert J. Little and Mary Olive Biersack Little. Her mother died early in Rita’s life, leaving Robert with three girls under the age of five years. Rita always expressed gratitude to her aunt, uncle and their two girls who opened their home to Robert and his daughters. They thrived there, and the girls grew up as one close-knit family.

Rita entered St. Agnes Convent in 1941 as a high school student. She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Mary Robert on August 15, 1945. She received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and an MEd in Administration and Supervision from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She kept current professionally through varied post-graduate courses.

Sister Rita spent the greater part of her life in the ministry of education: as a teacher in parish schools in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin for 15 years; as a teaching principal in WI for 12 years; as school administrator in Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin for another 15 years. Wisconsin schools where Sister Rita served include: Brother Dutton, Beloit; Presentation, North Fond du Lac; St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart, Fond du Lac; St. Luke, Two Rivers; Holy Trinity, Kewaskum; St. Mary Help of Christians, West Allis; and St. Florian, Milwaukee. Sister was also a member of the Marian College education department faculty for two years. Having served the congregation as local coordinator of St. Agnes Convent from 1990-1994, Sister Rita retired from formal roles in education. She then enjoyed her years as part of the Foster Grandparent Program at Evans School, Fond du Lac.

Sister Rita was preceded in death by her parents Robert J. Little and Mary Olive Biersack Little and by her sisters Margaret Thorsen, Beatrice Little, and Johanna Sem. She is survived by her sister Mary Ann (Marie) Neuwald, nieces, nephews, cousins and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

A Prayer Service for Sister Rita Little will be held on September 6, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Court and Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial with cremated remains present will take place on September 6, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home for their care of Sister Rita in her last years and to the staff of Hospice Hope.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes

Give a donation in honor of Sister Vivian Schmidtberger.

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Sister Vivian Schmidtberger, CSA, formerly Sister Catherine Siena, died peacefully July 5, 2018, at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Vivian was born in Victoria, Kansas, on May 10, 1929, to Alphonse Schmidtberger and Clara Graf Schmidtberger. Her family included eight girls and four boys.

Having graduated in 1947 from St. Fidelis High School, Victoria, Kansas, she entered St. Agnes Convent in January 1949. Sister Vivian made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1951.

Sister Vivian received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac and earned a Master’s in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Sister Vivian taught in elementary schools in Indiana and Wisconsin before serving from 1960-1970 as a missionary in Managua, Puerto Cabezas, Rosita and Waspam, Nicaragua, as well as in Quito, Ecuador. Upon returning to the United States, she took time apart from CSA and taught bilingual education for nine years in the Milwaukee public school system. After re-entering the congregation, she assisted for a year in the Hispanic ministry sponsored through St. Louis Parish in Fond du Lac. Sister Vivian returned to Nicaragua in 1984 serving first in pastoral ministry in Bele n, Rivas, followed by seven years devoted to the formation of young Nicaraguan women preparing to enter the congregation. La Ceiba, Honduras, was Sister Vivian’s home during her final seventeen years as a missionary. The Women’s Center established in La Ceiba in 1995 is an enduring legacy to Sister’s commitment to the empowerment of women. Sister Vivian returned to the United States, becoming a resident of Nazareth Court and Center in 2010.

Sister Vivian was preceded in death by her parents Alphonse Schmidtberger and Clara (Graf) Schmidtberger; her brothers Linus Schmidtberger and Michael Schmidtberger; her sisters Hermina Roth, Angelita Schmidtberger, Hubertine Schultz and Mary Schmidtberger.

Sister Vivian is survived by her brothers Robert Schmidtberger and Marvin Schmidtberger; her sisters Albertine Foos, Edna Ptacek and Rosalyn Leiker, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Vivian will be Thursday, July 12, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on July 12, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The presider will be Father Ken Smits, Capuchin. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home for their care of Sister Vivian in her last years and to the staff of St. Agnes Hospital.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Patricia Scanlan.

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Sister Patricia Scanlan, CSA, formerly known as Sister Malachy, died peacefully May 16, 2018, at St. Francis Home.

Patricia was born in Riverdale, New York, on March 27, 1933, to William Scanlan and Irene Magill Scanlan. She was raised in a family of six, including two boys and four girls.

Patricia entered St. Agnes Convent in 1950 after graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, New York. She made her profession of vows as Sister Malachy in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1953.

She received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac in 1962. Over the years which followed, Sister Patricia took numerous theology courses and earned an MA in Theology from Manhattan College, Bronx, New York. She also received a Certificate in Youth Ministry from Douglaston Seminary in Long Island, New York.

Sister Patricia was a teacher for 36 years. Having taught most grade levels in the elementary schools served by the congregation in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, New York, and Kansas, she also participated in religious education programs in the parishes wherever she lived. At St. Mary’s Springs, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and at Marian High, Hays, Kansas, Sister Patricia was a religion teacher as well as a physical education instructor and coach.

She worked in the Youth and Aged Ministry Office at Sacred Heart Parish, Yonkers, New York. As a member of LAMP Catholic Ministries of New York, Sister Patricia was assigned to St. Joseph Parish, Yonkers, New York, where she did Parish Evangelization and was Pastoral Associate. Service in LAMP was energizing and thoroughly engaging for her.

Sister Patricia Scanlan was preceded in death by her parents William Scanlan and Irene Magill Scanlan; her brothers William (Bill) Scanlan and John (Jack) Scanlan; and her sisters Joan Dugandzic and Anne Lynch.

She is survived by her sister Gerry Lou O’Connor, her nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Patricia Scanlan will take place May 25, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will be held on May 25, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Nazareth Center Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on May 25, 2018, in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at 2:00 p.m. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home, and the staff of Hospice Hope, for their care of Sister Patricia in her last year. Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

Give a donation in honor of Sister Mary Neff.

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Sister Mary Neff, CSA, baptized Matilda Cecilia Neff, and formerly known as Sister Mary Donald, died peacefully on April 9, 2018, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Matilda Neff was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on November 13, 1927, to William Neff and Anna Zauner Neff. Her family included one boy and seven girls. Matilda attended Altoona Catholic High School for two years. She entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, and graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1944. She made profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1947, as Sister Mary Donald.

Sister Mary received a BA in Art/Art Ed from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and earned an MA in Art from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana. She did post-graduate studies in counseling at Fort Hays State College, Hays, Kansas, and received a certificate in pastoral counseling from Cardinal Meyer Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She continued to enhance her professional credentials through a variety of courses in art and counseling over the years

Sister was a first-grade teacher in Wisconsin and Minnesota for 16 years; while on the faculty at St. Florian School, Milwaukee, she was an illustrator for children’s educational materials for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She taught art at Marian High School, Hays, Kansas, and at St. Francis Seminary, Victoria, Kansas, for eight years. During the 60s and 70s, Sister Mary ministered within CSA, assuming various roles in the formation of young women preparing for religious life.

A Marian College faculty member for 23 years, Sister Mary was Assistant Professor of Art and Director of the Art Department. She played an active part in college and community organizations. She contributed her gifts in numerous ways: judging art exhibits; leading art workshops; designing logos, signage, publications and cards for individuals and events; promoting Marian’s Heritage Festival of the Arts from its beginning. She was awarded the James R. Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award in 1992, was awarded Professor Emerita by the Marian College Board of Trustees in 1995 and was among the recipients of the first annual Windy Award in 2001. After retiring from Marian College, Sister Mary gave private lessons in drawing, painting and calligraphy at her Mariart Studio.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents William Neff and Anna Neff; her brother William Neff; her sisters Cleopha Neff, Madeline Neff, Walburga O’Neill, Gertrude Neff, Alma Duman and Mary Pressler. She is survived by her nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

There is no visitation. Burial took place on April 12, 2018, at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery. A Prayer Service will be held on April 19, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

A Memorial Mass will be held on April 19, 2018, at 2:15 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home, and the staff of Hospice Hope, for their care of Sister Mary Neff in the last years of her life.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.

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Sister Germaine Lichtle, CSA, baptized Mary Helen Lichtle, died peacefully on April 7, 2018, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary Helen Lichtle was born in Decatur, Indiana, on February 21, 1923, to Frank Lichtle and Viola Ulman. She was the second youngest child in a family of three girls and four boys. Orphaned at age seven, after the deaths of both parents within a short time span, Mary Helen lived in turn with her maternal grandparents, her sister Margaret and family, and with her brother Adrian and his wife. The family always remained close, and Sister Germaine was grateful throughout life for the blessing of her good home full of faith, love and care.

After graduation from Decatur Catholic High School, Mary Helen entered St. Agnes Convent in Fond du Lac. She made first profession of vows as Sister Germaine in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1944. Sister Germaine received a BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac in 1952 and an MA in Business Education from the College of St. Rose, Albany, New York, in 1964. Sister kept up-todate professionally through numerous post-graduate courses. In later years she became certified as a Retirement Planning Specialist for Religious through the Center for Ministry Transition, Ballwin, Missouri.

Sister taught in the elementary grades for eleven years in Indiana and Kansas. She taught business classes in secondary schools for 34 years in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New York. For six years, she was an adjunct instructor in business education at Marian College, while serving as the local coordinator for the retired sisters at Boyle Apostolic Center in Fond du Lac. After completing her ministry as a classroom teacher, she became a member of the Foster Grandmother Program and tutored in the Learning Resource Center at St. Mary’s Springs Academy for 17 years, until she became a resident of Nazareth Court and Center. Among her companions at the Nazareth campus, she generously contributed her talents as a seamstress and her gift of hospitality.

Sister Germaine was recognized for her service in the field of education at Sacred Heart High School, Yonkers, New York, being inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1995. She received the St. Joseph Volunteer of the Year Award at the St. Mary’s Springs Benefactors Recognition in May 2009.

Sister Germaine was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Viola Lichtle; her half-brother Tom Lichtle; brothers Adrian Lichtle, Francis Lichtle, and an infant; her sisters Margaret Meyer, and Catherine Kaehr. She is survived by many loving nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Germaine Lichtle will be held on Wednesday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m., at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will take place at Nazareth Center Chapel at 4:00 p.m., April 11.

A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for April 12, 2018, at 9:45 a.m., at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home and the staff of Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Germaine in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes