Sister Jan Brosnan, osf June 17, 1933 - May 1, 2013 Click here for the memorial letter about S. Jan Brosnan

Sister Marcella Coors, osf July 2, 1923 - April 23, 2013 Click here for the memorial letter about S. Marcella.

Sister Gerald Gaynor, osf January 23, 1929 - April 19, 2013 Click here for the memorial letter about S. Gerald.

 

Sister Noel Marie Worland, osf November 20, 1911 - April 13, 2013 Click here for the memorial letter about S. Noel Marie.

 

Sister Consolata Kuhn, osf October 24, 1915 - March 1, 2013 Click here for the memorial letter about S. Consolata.

After 101 years of faithful service to God in this life, Sister Alma Louise Kohnen entered eternal life on Sunday, October 28, 2012.  Florence Eleanora Kohnen was born at home in Newport, Kentucky on April 28, 1911.  She described her family as a rock of stability and as the seed from which flowered her religious vocation.  That vocation began when Florence entered the Sisters of St. Francis on December 27, 1928.  The name Alma Louise was chosen for her by the novice director, S. Mary DeSales.  S. Alma Louise embarked on her 48 years of teaching elementary grades.  Her favorite classroom situation was teaching four grades in one room in rural Indiana countryside.  It was her favorite because the children learned to do so much thinking for themselves.  She had smaller groups to work with and they were just like family.  For many summers, S. Alma Louise helped with nursing care for the Sisters and worked as a full time nurse's aide for three years.  The Sisters' acceptance of their suffering and forgiveness was a source of inspiration for her. S. Alma Louise often described herself as a "simple pray-er."  Her favorite formal prayer was the Memorare, and when physical health permitted, she spent a great deal of time in Eucharistic Adoration.  She said she always "felt comfortable in the presence of the Lord."  As a community, we give thanks for the good that came from Newport, Kentucky in the person of S. Alma Louise Kohnen. Excerpt from memorial letter by S. Marjorie Jeanne Niemer, osf, for the General Council.

S. Julitta Steckler, osf, quietly made her transition from this life to her life of union with her God on September 21, 2012.  S. Julitta (Elvira Rose) was the tenth of thirteen children born to John and Ann Steckler.  Our own S. Dorothy is her only surviving sibling.  Influenced by the Franciscan Sisters who stopped by her family's store and occasionally visited with the family, Vera followed Dorothy to the convent on June 15, 1933.  As a Sister of St. Francis, Julitta served for 48 years as a principal and teacher in Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois.  She spent 20 joy-filled years at St. Anthony's in Evansville loving the many opportunities for ministry, especially among the poor, as well as the privilege, over the years, of living with Sisters from eight different communities and with lay women.  Even while teaching, Julitta volunteered as a week-end hospital chaplain.  Later ministries found Julitta in patient relations in a nursing home and volunteering at Ozanam Family Shelter for the homeless.  Hers was a journey of faith which she described as: "My faith has been molded by the many persons I served, especially those I have touched in the teaching ministry, both children and adults.  The simple, sincere love and trust of children have certainly inspired me to a deeper faith-filled life."  Julitta was a Franciscan peacemaker and a powerful role model, not only for her sister, Dorothy, but for all of us.  We extend our sympathy to Dorothy and to their wonderful large family whom Julitta loved so much.  Our sympathy also extends to her many friends, to our Associates with whom she was actively involved for many years, to our nursing and pastoral care personnel who were so dedicated to Julitta's care and well being.  We rejoice in S. Julitta's new life.  Excerpt from memorial letter by S. Maureen Irvin, osf for the General Council.

 

S. Dolores Wright, osf, went peacefully home to God Sunday morning, August 5th, having been surrounded by her Sisters and nurses who kept vigil throughout the night.  Dolores attended Immaculate Conception Academy for high school and then entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg.  Her education continued as she earned a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education at Marian College, a Master's in administration from Xavier University and a Master's in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Baltimore.  S. Dolores ministered to the people of God as teacher, principal, missionary, Director of Life Development, Pastoral Associate, counselor and spiritual director.  She prepared others for ministry in the church through the Diaconate Program.  Ministry among the Navajo people in Tohatchi, New Mexico, brought blessing to the people, as well as great joy to herself.  Her pastor, Father John Mittelstadt, spoke highly of her as having done extraordinary things at the mission and in the diocese of Gallup.  She trained Navajos to take over ministries of the parish, training future Native American ministers and deacons, Anglo and Hispanic deacons.  Individual Sisters described S. Dolores as a very prayerful, Irish woman who loved Celtic prayer.  She organized and edited prayer books for the Community and liked nothing better than to have a book in one hand while petting her cat with the other.  Our sincere sympathy is extended to S. Dolores' sister Mary Ann, her nieces and nephews and their families.  We offer our thoughts and prayers to Dolores' friends and Sisters.  S. Dolores has indeed touched our lives and truly been a channel of God's healing to many.  Excerpt from memorial letter by S. Joanita Koors, osf, for the General Council.

S. Mary Ammann, osf, entered eternal life, gradually and peacefully letting go of this life on July 18, 2012.  Having six brothers, Mary was the only girl and daughter of Albert and Rose Ammann.  Almost as a promise of things to come, her birth date of January 6th is also the founding date of the Franciscan community at Oldenburg.  An avid sports enthusiast, Mary claimed that this particular interest was the natural result of having so many brothers. After trying to find her place in the business world, Mary earned a teaching degree from the University of Cincinnati and found her niche teaching physical education and coaching first at Scecina High School in Indianapolis for seven years, Rex Mundi in Evansville for two years and finally at Oldenburg Academy from 1969-1998.  It was while at Oldenburg Academy her talent reached her peak.  She became the school's first athletic director and joined the Indiana High School Athletic Association which allowed competitive play against other high schools.  The year preceding her retirement from teaching she was inducted into the Inaugural Women's Hall of Fame at Roger Bacon High School, honoring her years at Our Lady of the Angels.  We offer our sincere sympathy to Mary's brother Richard and to her nieces and nephews and their families.  We grieve with her friends and loyal students who continued to visit Mary throughout her retirement years.  Mary chose II Timothy 4:6-8 for her funeral liturgy: "I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."  Indeed, this is true of our Sister Mary Ammann and we celebrate in gratitude that her life was entwined as a blessing with ours.

S. Yvonne Conrad, osf, quietly drew the final thread in her beautiful earth-life quilt on May 25, 2012.  The second youngest of eight children was born to Louis and Anna Conrad.  Her rural roots of fertile earth, loving family, deep faith, and self-giving were modeled by her parents and family drawing her into a circle of love.  She attended St. Ann's Elementary School and Notre Dame High School in Hamilton, Ohio.  Her childhood dream was to be a religious sister inspired by the "joyful family spirit seen in the Franciscan Community at St. Ann's."  Anna Mae entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1954 and became a member of the "illustrious senators" group.  S. Yvonne's years were filled with threads of prayer, determination, wisdom and education.  She served as teacher, nurse, pastoral minister, religious educator and executive assistant.  This down-to-earth, level-headed woman brought her calming presence to each situation.  The pieces of her quilt were laid in intricate designs as she listened to God's call to be an instrument of peace, to care for others, to accept challenging assignments and to expend herself tirelessly to be a joy-filled Franciscan woman.  In these last years as her life changed and her abilities were compromised we knew she was in touch with the suffering Christ.  She was aligned ever more fully with St. Francis and Jesus in giving herself totally.  We are struck by her proclamation of God's presence even in her silence.  We are grateful to Yvonne for her gifting us with love, inspiration and perseverance, connecting us in ways we could not have imagined.  We extend our sympathy and prayers to her brother, Cel, and sister, Loraine, and her extended family.  We offer support and prayer to all her friends, classmates and community members.  Deep gratitude is given to all who have cared for and walked with S. Yvonne, especially in these last few months.  We are deeply blessed to be uniquely stitched into the beautiful earth-life quilt of S. Yvonne. 
Excerpts from memorial letter by S. Bernice Stenger, osf, for the General Council.

S. Therese de Lourdes Galm, OSF, quietly and calmly went home to her God on April 27, 2012. She was the oldest of five children born to Edward Joseph and Katherine Galm. As a young girl,  she always knew of the Oldenburg Franciscan Community because she was a student at Our Lady of Lourdes grade school and St. Mary Academy where the Sisters taught. She remembered going to the "Sisters' house" with her mother to help the Sisters and do an occasional errand for them. At the age of 20, she came to Oldenburg to join the Community and answered that "little call" she heard as early as the age of six. S. Therese was a wonderful teacher and administrator. She taught in both grade school and high school and was an organist at several of the parishes at which she served. Over the years she taught English, History and Math at Oldenburg Academy and Our lady of Angels High School and also served as principal at both schools. In her later years, S. Therese served as Motherhouse Minister and cared for the needs of the Motherhouse Sisters. Many who knew S. Therese knew she was a woman of prayer. She indicated that she learned very early to rely on prayer, and throughout her life strove to become acquainted with various forms of prayer.  Two quotes helped her throughout her life and perhaps can be a lesson to all of us as well; "All my trust is in your promise", and "For all that has been - thank you, For all that will be - yes!" S. Therese certainly knew what had already occurred in her life and her gratitude showed in all that she did. Her trust in the promise of God has been fulfilled and she lives happily with God forever. To all of S. Therese's family and friends, we offer our sincere sympathy and we thank you for sharing her with us all these years. Thank you, S. Therese for the Franciscan joy that you spread each and every day of your life.  
Excerpts from memorial Letter written by S. Margaret Maher, osf, for the General Council.