Obituaries

Sister Maris Kerwin, FSPA

Sister Maris Kerwin, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89, died on Oct. 25, 2024, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the sixty-fifth year of her religious profession. Sister Maris was born on July 3, 1935, to Thomas and Lillian (Foley) Kerwin in Carroll, Iowa. At her baptism, she was given the name Anna Marie but was known as Ann. She, her sister and her brother attended St. Joseph School in Carroll. When she graduated from eighth grade, she crossed the street to attend St. Angela Academy, staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. There her interest in science and mathematics began—along with plays and proms. Her summers were spent detasseling corn (a loyal Iowan) and working at the Country Club. Each year, the students at the academy held a retreat. Ann started to ask the question, “What is my vocation?”—never thinking religious life would be the answer for her. She graduated from the academy with a science award and began nursing training at St. Anthony Hospital Nursing School in Carroll, where she was active in the sodality, vice-president of her class and on the student council. During her junior year, she attended the Summer School of Catholic Action in Chicago. At that point, she realized that God was calling her to something special.

After graduating with a nursing degree from St. Anthony’s Nursing School, she entered St. Rose Convent and was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1957. She was given the name Sister Maris and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1959. While at St. Rose Convent, Sister Maris attended Viterbo College [University] and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in nursing. She then began her long career in the field of healthcare. She ministered in a variety of nursing positions in FSPA-sponsored hospitals including St. Francis Medical Center [Mayo Clinic Health System] in La Crosse, St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta, Wisconsin, St. Joseph Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho and St. Anthony Regional Hospital. She also spent time in Salt Lake City, Utah where she was introduced to intensive care units—a specialization that she helped establish in the Idaho Falls hospital.

In the spring of 1984, her life changed from health care to sister care as she was elected FSPA vice-president. Her ten years in congregational leadership provided her the opportunity to not only become more deeply aware of the life and work of the FSPA but also allowed her to touch the lives and challenges of society, the Church and religious women everywhere. After a year’s sabbatical in 1994 at Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center in New Mexico, along with participation in a Franciscan program at the Tau Center in Winona, Minnesota, she was ready for another challenge; she was appointed administrator of Villa St. Joseph, FSPA’s skilled-care retirement home. She continued in that position for 13 years until she “retired” to St. Rose Convent and became the FSPA Heritage Curator from 2008 to 2022, at which time she retired to a ministry of prayer and hospitality.

Community members, family and friends remember Sister Maris as kind, quiet and always involved with others—and very proud of her Irish heritage. Many of the relationships she made over the years at her various ministries stayed strong. At St. Rose Convent, everyone knew Sister Maris, as she was interested in getting to know every employee, as well as each sister. She always had an idea to share on how to make something better for someone else. She continued to serve in healthcare for years. After retiring, she continued as an active and contributing board member at St. Francis Hospital (MCHS) and St. Anthony Hospital, even serving as chair of the board. Sister Maris received numerous awards in recognition of her service to the healthcare field, some of which included the Spheres of Influence Award from the St. Francis Foundation, the RSVP President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from RSVP and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Catholic Health Association.

Sister Rosalia Bauer, FSPA

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Sister Rosalia Bauer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-fourth year of her religious profession. Rosalia Ritalina was born on Feb. 20, 1929 to Joseph A. and Rosa (Danzinger) Bauer in Lima, Wisconsin. She and her eight brothers and two sisters grew up on the family farm. At Christmas, when Rosalia was in the third grade, she received a “Nurse Kit” from Santa Claus and began practicing on her brothers. From that moment on, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. She attended Sacred Heart School in Lima where she completed her grade and high school. She enjoyed gardening, being in nature and practicing baking with her brothers. Her summers were spent with her siblings working on the farm; wintertime brought ice skating, sledding and skiing.

In 1947 she followed her aunt, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Ritalina Danzinger, and entered St. Rose Convent. Rosalia was received into the novitiate in 1948 and given the name Sister Mary Ambrose. She later went back to her baptismal name and made her profession of first vows on Aug. 12, 1950. Always wanting to be a nurse, Sister Rosalia became an RN, graduating from St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa; then going on to receive a BSN from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa; an MSN from the University of Washington, Seattle and eventually became a family nurse practitioner through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Sister Rosalia ministered as a nurse in nine states and Thailand, in large and small hospitals, nursing homes, home care, university clinics, county clinics, public health centers, a migrant camp and a refugee camp. She saw nursing as “a doorknob allowing entrance into people’s homes and hearts.” Her varied experiences, especially with the migrants in Virginia and refugees in Thailand, gave her a deep appreciation of cultural differences, the miracles of medicine and the resilience of people. In 1992, a new passion was born for Sister Rosalia when she was invited to become part of the pro-life movement through Pro-Life Wisconsin. She continued her pro-life commitment for the rest of her years, even into retirement.

Sister Rosalia is remembered for her determination and love of life. She was a great storyteller. Her eyes would light up when talking about her ministry in the migrant camp in Virginia or with the refugees in Thailand. She was a pro-life activist to the very core and was passionate about sharing conversations that supported all forms of life, particularly that of the unborn. She loved her FSPA community and her family, and participated in as many activities as she could.

Sister LaVerne Ramaeker, FSPA

Sister LaVerne Ramaeker, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 93, died on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-second year of her religious profession. LaVerne Mary Ramaeker was born on Oct. 25, 1931 to Fred and Gertrude (Smith) Ramaeker in Lindsay, Nebraska. She was the ninth of ten children. Sister LaVerne started her education in a country school where all eight grades were taught by one teacher. When she was in the fourth grade and ready to make her First Communion, her parents sent her and some of her brothers and sisters to St. Michael’s Catholic Grade School in Spalding, Nebraska. They returned home on weekends to re-stock their food supplies for the coming week. After her family moved to Scranton, Iowa, Sister LaVerne attended fifth grade in the public school. The following year, she and her sister Florine (Mary James, FSPA) and brother Victor, were car-pooled to St. Joseph School in Carroll, Iowa. They boarded at Sacred Heart Convent for grades six through eight. Sister LaVerne then attended high school at St. Angela Academy in Carroll.

On Aug. 12, 1949, she entered St. Rose Convent and was received into the FSPA novitiate on Aug. 12, 1950, where she was given the name, Sister Carmencita. She later returned to her baptismal name and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1952. Sister LaVerne began her tertiary studies at Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse and was soon transferred to St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse where she earned a certificate as a radiologic technologist. She served as a radiologic technologist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Sparta, Wisconsin and St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll for two years. From there she became program director of the School of Radiologic Technology and chief technologist at Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She also received a Bachelor of Science in radiologic technology from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Returning to La Crosse, Sister LaVerne became program director at the St. Francis School of Radiologic Technology. She later earned a Master of Science in education and evaluation from the State University of New York in Buffalo, New York. For the next nine years, she was on the faculty and served as department chair of Radiologic Sciences at the Chicago Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. Later, after receiving an EdD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Sister LaVerne moved to the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois and served as department chair for the Allied Health Degree Completion Program. For the next 10 years, she continued serving in the health field as chairperson and coordinator of various allied health and radiologic programs at Indiana University in Gary, Indiana. Sister LaVerne retired in 1996 to Waukegan, Illinois, where she provided volunteer support as a grant researcher, advisory committee member, fundraiser and driver for ElderCare at Christ Episcopal Church. In 2020, she retired to La Crosse and moved to St. Rose Convent in 2023.

Sister LaVerne is remembered by her FSPA community members, family and friends as a dedicated educator and radiologist. Her many years of service in the health field touched thousands of individuals as students, patients and colleagues. She was loyal to her family and friends, especially Kay Shriver, always adding a thoughtful touch to special occasions with something unique for each individual. Her energy and care for others continued all through her life. She loved her FSPA community and rarely missed a community gathering, even when she was ministering at a distance. She took up woodworking before she retired and loved making décor for people’s homes.

Sister Dorothy Dunbar, FSPA

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Sister Dorothy Dunbar, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 86, died on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the sixty-eighth year of her religious profession. Dorine Ruth Dunbar was born on July 4, 1937 to Merl and Dorothy (Kneip) Dunbar in Staten Island, New York. Her father worked for the U.S. Coast Guard. As part of his work, Sister Dorothy and her two brothers lived in five different states before she turned nine years old. She had fond memories of watching searchlights pan the skies over New York City, the breathtaking majesty of Mount Rainier that “hung” in the sky outside their home in Seattle, Washington as well as driving through gigantic redwoods in California. At the age of 13, her friend announced that she was going to join a religious community. So, Sister Dorothy announced to her family that she was going to do the same.

On June 13, 1955, Sister Dorothy was received into the novitiate of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and was given the name Sister Mary Dorothy. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 15, 1956. Teaching was Sister Dorothy’s primary ministry. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in mathematics from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago in Illinois and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago. Sister Dorothy taught upper grades and high school in Wisconsin, Ohio, Nebraska and Illinois. After Vatican II, realizing that change was happening all around her and in many parts of her life, but not in her religious community, she became restless.

In the summer of 1990, Sister Dorothy began the transfer process from the Manitowoc community. She first responded to an invitation from the Wheaton Franciscans in Illinois, but by October 1993, she had discerned a call to join the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse. She was fully incorporated as an FSPA in Sept. 1996. As part of the FSPA community, Sister Dorothy continued her educational career serving as a basic skills instructor in inner city Chicago in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. From 1999 to 2011, Sister Dorothy ministered as FSPA’s Membership Office Assistant. When her health began to deteriorate, she moved to St. Rose Convent. In 2014, she moved to Villa St. Joseph and in 2023, back to St. Rose.

Community members, family and friends remember Sister Dorothy as a “sparkplug” who was known to be a fearless risk-taker motivated by tenacity and determination. She was passionate about those in need. Her ministry in inner-city Chicago and academic advising at Loyola University were very enriching for her and those she served. Her ability to integrate her own life journey was invaluable as she worked with others who were exploring religious life. She was always interested in what was happening in the community and had a quick-witted explanation for almost any problem or challenge that arose.

Sister Laura Schreck, FSPA

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Sister Laura Schreck, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 94, died on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-fourth year of her religious profession. Sister Laura was born on Feb. 2, 1929, to George and Philomena (Venteicher) Schreck on a farm near Willey, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Willey and enrolled at St. Angela’s Academy in Carroll, Iowa after graduation. However, when her mother became ill, Sister Laura’s father asked her to remain home for a year. After two years at St. Angela’s, Sister Laura was preparing for confession with other members of her family at the parish church when she felt a strong voice urging her to enter St. Rose Convent. A week later she spoke to her mother about it. This was on a Sunday and on Wednesday at 11 p.m., during a severe thunderstorm, she boarded the train for La Crosse.

The family was quite familiar with religious life since two of her father’s sisters (Sisters Benigna and Paulinda) and her mother’s sister (Sister Francetta Venteicher) were in the FSPA community. Sister Laura was received into the novitiate on Aug. 12, 1947, and was given the name Sister Mildred. She later returned to her baptismal name and made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1949, and final vows on Aug. 9, 1955.

Sister Laura received a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in music from Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse. She also earned a master’s degree in religious studies from Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. Her first ministry was as a middle-grade teacher. She served in schools in Iowa (Festina, Halder, Luxemburg, Muscatine and Calmar) and Wisconsin (Auburndale, Greenwood and Dodgeville) for 22 years. She then changed the focus of her teaching to religious education, serving as a parish minister and director of religious education in parishes in Iowa (Rockwell City, Waterloo, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Garnavillo and Calmar-Festina), Illinois (Wheaton) and Wisconsin (Cross Plains and Norwalk). She was instrumental in establishing a catechetical program for four parishes in Ames, Iowa. In many of these parishes, she also served as organist and choir director and even as director of liturgy and music. For two years she was involved in home care and served one year caring for children in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program in Houston, Texas.

After retiring, Sister Laura served as sacristan at St. Rose Convent and as a volunteer at Villa St. Joseph until she retired to St. Rose Convent in 2007, and then to Villa St. Joseph in 2011. In 2023, Sister Laura moved back to St. Rose Convent. Community members, family and friends will remember Sister Laura as someone who was able to engage in any conversation. Religious education was her favorite ministry and she loved working with children and families in a parish setting. Sister Laura never missed a community function and always had something substantial to contribute. Even when her sight failed her, she stayed abreast of what was happening in the community and the world. And most importantly, her bright smile would light up every room she entered.

Sister Margaret Wenzel, FSPA

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Sister Margaret Wenzel, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 92, died on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023 at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was in the seventy-second year of her religious profession. Margaret Helen Wenzel was born on Oct. 9, 1931 to Louis and Anna (Frodl) Wenzel in Stratford, Wisconsin. She and her 10 brothers and sisters grew up on the family farm just outside Stratford. There she learned to love God through her family and nature. Farm work was always tempered with fun, especially music. When her father retired from farming, the family moved into town where he became the village constable. Sister Margaret attended a Marathon Pride Public School for her first four years, then completed her elementary grades at St. Joseph’s School in Stratford. She entered St. Rose Convent at age 13, following her older sister, Dorothy (Sister Mary Donald, FSPA).

For the next four years, Sister Margaret attended St. Rose High School in La Crosse. She was received into the FSPA novitiate on Aug. 12, 1949 and given the name Sister Donelda. She later went back to her baptismal name. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 12, 1951. Sister Margaret earned a BS in elementary education from Viterbo College (University) in La Crosse and an MS in elementary education with a concentration in reading from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Superior, Wisconsin. She ministered as a primary school teacher for 34 years at schools in Wisconsin (Durand: 1951-55, La Crosse: 1955-56 and 1969-75, Allouez: 1966-68, Odanah: 1968-69, Ashland: 1975-80 and Schofield: 1980-85), Washington (Spokane: 1957-63) and Iowa (Luxemburg: 1963-66).

After training in Clinical Pastoral Ministry in 1985, Sister Margaret moved to St. Vincent Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas where she started her career as a chaplain. In 1995, she moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she continued ministering as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital until she retired in 2004. She spent the next four years as a volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital and the Cathedral of St. John in Milwaukee. In 2008, Sister Margaret retired to St. Rose Convent where she was active in the ministry of prayer and hospitality.

Sister Margaret is remembered for her love of prayer ministry, taking numerous adoration hours. She had a deep appreciation for the Mass and, if she could attend, never missed a Eucharistic liturgy. For years she assisted with table decorations at the convent. During her ministry and retirement, she was a great listener to others’ stories of grief and transition. Sister Margaret loved to travel. She participated in a GATE experience in the Czech and Slovak Republics and eastern Germany, and also traveled to Canada and Mexico and various parts of the U.S. She accompanied Sister Dorothy to the Holy Land to celebrate Sister Dorothy’s 50th jubilee and then went to Ireland for her own 50th jubilee.