Emily Schug

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Sister Emily Schug, CSA, baptized Mary, died peacefully March 5, 2025, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Mary was born June 30, 1931, in Yonkers, New York, the youngest of five children of John and Frances Kruppenbacker Schug. Mary attended Sacred Heart Grade School and High School in Yonkers, staffed by the Sisters of St. Agnes.  

When Mary was just ten, her older sister, Theresa, entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Her sister’s experience stirred in Mary the beginnings of a call to religious life. This desire grew within her throughout her remaining school-age years.  After high school graduation in 1949, Mary chose to enter St. Agnes Convent. She knew she would miss her sisters at home and their love and encouragement. Knowing she would have many sisters in her CSA community supporting her desire to live as a follower of Jesus gave her peace in taking this step.  She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Emily on August 15, 1952. 

In her biography, Sister Emily describes her life as a woman religious as having three phases. During the first phase, 1952-1966, Sister Emily earned her BS in Elementary Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac. While earning her degree, she was an elementary school teacher in Altoona and Nanty-Glo, Pennsylvania. At St. Mary’s Parish, Nanty-Glo, she was also the parish organist. She truly enjoyed her years in Pennsylvania yet began to feel a call beyond the classroom to work in catechetical ministry, ministering among those hungry to hear the Word of God. Feeling drawn to the people of Nicaragua, she volunteered to serve in the foreign missions with CSA in Latin America.  Thus began the second phase of Sister Emily’s life, 1966-1991. On August 22, 1966, she left the USA to study Spanish language and culture in Ponce, Puerto Rico. This coincided with the sessions of Vatican Council II in the Catholic Church. The documents published by the Council became the foundation for her life as a missionary. Her first assignment in Latin America was at Cardinal Spellman School, Quito, Ecuador.  There she served as an English teacher and catechist while continuing to study Spanish and catechesis. Participating in a comprehensive catechetical course in Mexico City, Mexico, provided the strong foundation for her future years in Latin America. Sister began her ministry in Nicaragua in 1970, serving in towns along the East Coast: Rosita, Waspam, Puerto Cabezas, and one year in Matagalpa. She was a beloved presence in each of these settings. Her main ministry was catechesis: teaching children to know and love Jesus, preparing other catechists, and working with youth groups. As a lasting gift to the catechists who followed her, she compiled all the lessons she created into a Catechism for First Eucharist which is still used to this day.

In 1991, after twenty-five years in Latin America, Sister Emily, at age 60, decided to return to the US to dedicate her remaining energies to the third phase of her life, 1992-2025. Returning to Fond du Lac, Sister Emily accepted the position as CSA Spanish translator, a role she faithfully served for twenty years. She translated the continuous flow of written documents and correspondence necessary to unite the life and ministry of the sisters in Latin America with the sisters in the USA, a true gift to her congregation. During this time, Sister Emily was actively involved with the Hispanic community of Holy Family Parish. While the young children participated in their sacramental preparation in English, Sister would meet with the parents, conversing in both Spanish and English, assisting them with their role in the Christian formation of their children.  She volunteered countless hours at St. Agnes Hospital as a greeter and an interpreter for new mothers and Hispanic patients in the hospital and in hospice care, providing comfort in their native language.  She enjoyed traveling with and serving as interpreter for Dr. Ann Schlaefer, a Campbellsport optometrist, and her eye clinic team who made mission trips to Rosita and other rural towns in Nicaragua. She has been honored for her work translating into Spanish the works of spiritual writers, including the life of St. Kateri Tekakwitha by Fr. Francis X. Weiser, SJ, and the book, The Fire in These Ashes, by Sister Joan Chittister, OSB.  In each phase of her life, Sister Emily served with an open heart, loving the people and sharing in their lives.  Her religious life was rooted in prayer and her deep faith in a loving God who kept her going. 

In August 2013, Sister Emily joined the community of sisters at Nazareth Court and Center to receive care for increasing health issues, including failing eyesight. She moved to St. Francis Home in November 2020, continuing to receive loving care until the time of her death. 

Preceding Sister Emily in death were her parents; her sisters, Sister Mary Frances Schug, CSA, and Rita Bachop; her brother, John Schug, OFM Cap.

Sister is survived by her sister, Frances Grace; her nieces, nephews and their families; and the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

All services for Sister Emily will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. and 12:00–1:30 p.m. at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
A Prayer Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Tom Zelinski, OFM Cap., presiding. 
Burial will follow in 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 and the Schug family are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court & Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their devoted care of Sister Emily. 
Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.