Bertha Bumann

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Sister Bertha Bumann, CSA, formerly Sister Vincent, died peacefully October 4, 2021, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Sophie Bertha was born January 24, 1928, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Sebastian Bumann and Hedwig Erny Bumann, both immigrants from Germany, who settled in Altoona where Sebastian worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Bertha and her three brothers had fond memories of free train trips with their parents, particularly to Chicago and New York, one of the perks of working for the railroad. She was educated by the Sisters of St. Agnes in Altoona. In 1944, after attending Altoona Catholic High School for two years, Bertha left by train for Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where she entered St. Agnes Convent and enrolled in St. Agnes High School, graduating in 1946. She made her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Vincent on August 15, 1947, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

After her religious profession, Sister Bertha began teaching while pursuing her BS in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, graduating in August 1958. She taught for fourteen years in elementary schools in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Illinois. In 1961, her desire to be a missionary with the Sisters of St. Agnes in Nicaragua was fulfilled when she was sent to St. Mary’s College in Mankato, Minnesota, for five weeks to study Spanish and the geography and culture of Nicaragua. Her assignment to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, marked the beginning of her twenty-one years of service in Puerto Cabezas, Waspam, and Managua. She supported the mission as teacher and pastoral minister, assisted with the formation of young Nicaraguan women who desired to join the congregation, and served in regional leadership for the CSA community in Latin America.  Sister Bertha’s presence, compassion, and steadfast leadership were invaluable following the earthquake of 1972 that devastated the city of Managua, and during the tumult of the political revolution of the early 1980s.

Following her decision to return to the U.S. in 1982, Sister Bertha engaged in various ministerial roles including Administrator of St. Agnes Convent, Director of Ministry at The Leo House in New York City, Local Coordinator at Nazareth Court and Center, and volunteer at St. Agnes Hospital. Having lived at St. Agnes Convent beginning in 2000, Sister Bertha joined the community of sisters residing at Nazareth Court and Center in November 2010.  Frail health led her to be admitted in November 2017 to St. Francis Home where she received loving care until her death.

Sister Bertha was preceded in death by her parents Sebastian and Hedwig Bumann; her brother Father Joseph Bumann; and her sister-in-law Yolanda Bumann.

She is survived by her brothers Vincent and Francis (Donna) Bumann; her nieces, nephews, and their families; cousins; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and from 12:00-1:30 p.m. on October 18, 2021.

A prayer service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 2021, in the Nazareth Center Chapel. Please check in for the Visitation and Prayer Service at the 375 Gillett Street entrance only. 

The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Bertha will be held on October 18, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Kenneth Smits, Capuchin, presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

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, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Bertha.

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