Obituaries / Obituarios

Give a donation in honor of Sister Marie Endres.

Download Sister Marie Endres' bio.   
Descarga en español.

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.

Download Sister Annette Herr's bio.   
Descarga en español.

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.

Download Sister Paul Ann Dinkel's bio.   
Descarga en español

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.

Download Sister Martha Kretschmer's bio. 
Descarga en español

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.

Download Sister Martina Kuhn's bio. 
Descarga en español

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.

Download Sister Gonzaga Hron's bio.
Descarga en español

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.

Download Sister Mary Hornung's bio.
Descarga en español

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