Sister Gervina Schilling's Story & Gallery
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Gervina Schilling was born on March 8, 1893, and grew up on a small farm in Marathon, Wisconsin. In her personal history, she recalls being, “Very fond of drawing and while attending school the Friday afternoon drawing lesson was always the most pleasant hour of the school week. Even after I had left school, I used to spend some of my free time on Sundays in drawing.” In August 1910 at the age of 17, she entered St. Rose Convent. Gervina was able to develop this early interest in drawing and art and received further education at St. Rose Convent. She was known for her kindness and it was often expressed that she was a “living saint.” In addition to her own painting practice, Sister Gervina taught art for 52 years: 19 years at St. Rose Convent and 24 years at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She passed away at 81 years of age in 1974.
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