A day of celebrating Sister Beth…On the move, one month from today…

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Sister Beth loved the sound of bagpipes. Tom’s nephew Tony, shown in this photo, had arranged for this bagpipe player to perform at the cemetery.

We are so glad we stayed behind for Tom’s sister Patty to see Sister Beth’s memorial service. It meant the world to her. Mary’s (who was in Milwaukee at the service) husband, Eugene, joined us at Patty’s home, and the four of us watched the hour-long service intently. It was beautifully done with compassion and attention to detail. It was evident Sister Beth was dearly loved.

We brought my laptop with Tom’s as a backup, our HDMI cord, and our portable speaker. I set my phone up as a hotspot, which worked quite well when Patty doesn’t have WiFi in her home. There were a few delays on the other end, but finally, they got the video stream working properly, and we could easily watch.

I took this photo off of Patty’s TV of Sister Beth’s funeral, which was held in St. Joseph’s Hall, not the church since it is being renovated. Thirteen of Tom’s family members were in the front rows on the left. There were 80 mourners in attendance.

After the service, the luncheon was served in Milwaukee (see the menu below), and then over 30 mourners, including Tom’s 13 family members and many nuns, headed to the cemetery for the burial. As shown in the main photo, Tom’s nephew Tony, son of Margie, had arranged for a bagpipe player to perform at the burial service, as shown in the main photo.

For the four of us observing the service by video, we decided on our own lunch to celebrate Sister Beth and headed to one of Patty’s favorite restaurants. We talked about Sister Beth, sharing personal experiences and being grateful in our own way that we could participate from afar.

A luncheon was served after the funeral but before the cemetery trip.

We had a lovely lunch, and by early afternoon, we were back on the road to our hotel. We quietly spent the remainder of the day there until we had a light dinner around 6:30. Later, we settled in to watch our favorite new series, For All Mankind, on Apple TV. If you like stories about “space,” this is a much-watched drama.

Technology, such as what we used, made this possible. This relatively simple process was very familiar to us since we’ve been utilizing streaming for many years. However, we certainly understand how difficult this could be for those who don’t have WiFi in their homes and have never streamed any movies, series, or events.

Soon, we’ll head out to the bank and Aldi market for a few items and then pick up our usual grocery order from Cub Foods. When I placed the order this morning, they were out of several products we use, resulting in the necessity of stopping at another market.

Sister Julie Rice, a dear friend of Sister Beth, presented the eulogy.

Yesterday, it dawned on us that we’ll leave for Cleveland Clinic one month from today. The months-long wait has happened quickly with all the beautiful times we’ve spent with family and friends. We’ll cram in as much as possible in these remaining 30 days before heading out on the two-day road trip.

That’s all for today, folks. Thank you for the loving and thoughtful condolences for Tom and his family. The kindness of our readers worldwide never ceases to amaze us. Thank you for being YOU!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 25, 2014:

We went through as many as 20 tunnels on a few-hour outing in Madeira. For more photos, please click here.

Our dear Sister Beth, Tom’s sister, has passed away…Her story…

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This photo below of Sister Beth was taken in 1960, six years after she became a nun. She is pictured with her parents, Leo and Mary, who were also Tom’s and his siblings’ beloved parents.

The following was written about Sister Beth’s 70th Jubilee, which Tom attended in June. I could not participate in the celebration because I was sick and, thus, stayed in a hotel room. Sister Beth was unable to attend the mass and celebration due to her waning health, although she was able to join Tom and three other family members for their private luncheon. Sister Beth passed away only a few days ago, on July 16, 2024.

“As Sister Beth reflects on her 70 years as a School Sister of St. Francis, she finds it difficult to believe all God has asked of her and allowed her to do.

She remembers when she was in the third grade and knew she wanted to be a sister. She persevered in her desire, and when she was a junior in high school, she left her family home in Minneapolis and traveled to Milwaukee, where she finished her last year and graduated from St. Joseph Convent High School. She studied at Alverno College, earning her bachelor’s degree in education. 

Her first teaching experience was in the primary grades. Sister Beth enjoyed her time with young children, and they appreciated the excellent teacher that she was. 

When Sister Beth moved to Rockford, Illinois, she was the coordinator for our retired sisters at Maria Linden for many years. Her next move brought her to Milwaukee, where she served in personal services to the sisters living at St. Joseph Convent. Finally, she ministered as secretary to the provincial of the Carmelite Fathers.                         

Sister Beth said that she would not be where she is in life, especially regarding her education and spiritual development, had she not joined the School Sisters of St. Francis. She has lived with small groups of sisters and in larger houses over the years and has found many joys in her relationships with the sisters and the people to whom she ministered. Life has provided her with many excellent and memorable experiences, and she is grateful for all she has been and open to accepting all that will be. Happy 70th Jubilee, Sister Beth!”

Sister Beth, as we all remember her in the past years.

The School Sisters of St. Francis (SSSF) is a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1874 in New Cassel, Wisconsin, USA. The congregation was established by three young women: Mother Alexia Hoell, Sister Alfons Schmid, and Sister Clara Waeltermann. They were inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and sought to dedicate their lives to education, social justice, and service to people experiencing poverty.

Origins and Growth

The School Sisters of St. Francis originated during significant immigration to the United States, particularly German Catholics seeking better opportunities and religious freedom. The founders saw a pressing need for education among the children of these immigrants and began their mission by teaching in parish schools. Their initial focus was on providing a solid Catholic education, especially to the children of German-speaking immigrants in the Milwaukee area.

As the congregation grew, the sisters expanded their educational mission beyond elementary and secondary schools to include higher education. They established colleges and other academic institutions, always emphasizing the values of their Franciscan heritage: simplicity, humility, and a deep sense of social justice.

Mission and Charism

The mission of the School Sisters of St. Francis is centered on the Franciscan values of peace, justice, and care for creation. They commit to living out these values through educational and social service ministries. Their charism, or spiritual focus, draws heavily from the example of St. Francis of Assisi, who emphasized a life of poverty, humility, and service to others, particularly the marginalized and disadvantaged.

Education remains a core ministry, but the congregation has significantly expanded its work into healthcare, pastoral care, and social services. The sisters operate hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, providing care and comfort to those in need. Additionally, the sisters are involved in various forms of social justice advocacy, including advocating for immigrants’ rights, opposing human trafficking, and promoting environmental stewardship.

Global Presence

The School Sisters of St. Francis have a strong international presence. In addition to their roots in the United States, they have missions in Latin America, Europe, India, and Africa. This global outreach allows them to address various social and educational needs worldwide. In each location, the sisters adapt their ministries to meet the specific cultural and social contexts, always maintaining their commitment to Franciscan values.

Community Life

Community life is a vital aspect of the School Sisters of St. Francis. They live together in community, sharing prayer, work, and daily life. This communal living supports their spiritual growth and strengthens their ability to serve others. Prayer and contemplation are integral to their lives, providing a foundation for their ministries and their personal spiritual development.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

Over the decades, the School Sisters of St. Francis have profoundly impacted countless individuals and communities. Their educational institutions have shaped the lives of many students, instilling in them the values of faith, service, and social responsibility. Their healthcare and social services have provided critical support to those in need, reflecting the compassion and love at the heart of their mission.

Today, the School Sisters of St. Francis continue to evolve, responding to new challenges and opportunities while staying true to their foundational values. They remain dedicated to fostering peace, justice, and the well-being of all people, inspired by the enduring example of St. Francis of Assisi. Their ongoing efforts carry forward a legacy of faith, service, and societal transformative impact.

Sister Beth’s six living siblings, including five sisters and Tom, along with four deceased brothers, in-laws, and today’s four generations of family members, lives were enhanced by the kindness, devotion, and love of this extraordinary human being, who will always remain in our hearts and minds.

God bless Sister Beth, as we all wish her eternal rest in the presence of God, acknowledging her life’s work and her journey to the afterlife.

We’re back from Milwaukee…Unfortunate situation…Photos from the event…

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Sister Beth and Tom at the luncheon on Saturday.

We left for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for Tom’s Sister Beth’s 70th Jubilee ( since becoming a nun) on Friday morning after we checked out of the Eden Prairie, Minnesota hotel. We booked the Fairfield Inn West hotel for two nights with a plan to participate in all the activities relative to the event.

Tom was recovering from his bad case of the flu with a horrific cough, but it had been over a week since the onset of symptoms, and he was feeling better and unlikely still infectious. I was thrilled a week later when I hadn’t caught this virus from him.

When I awoke on Friday morning, I noticed a little tickle in my throat but dismissed it as dryness due to the aircon in the room at night. But, on the way to Milwaukee in the car, my sore throat worsened, and I developed an awful cough in just a few hours. When we arrived in Milwaukee, I was “down for the count,” too sick to do anything.

Of course, I wouldn’t risk getting Sister Beth sick, as well as the other nuns and three other family members who also drove to the celebration, knowing I was fully contagious at that point. As a result, I spent two miserable days in that hotel room, laying on the sofa with a pillow and blanket, streaming shows to keep my mind occupied while napping off and on.

Sister Beth broke her neck in a car accident and has trouble holding up her head.

Tom attended all the festivities, including a 90-minute mass, a luncheon, and as much time as possible with Sister Beth, expressing my apologies for not being able to join in and be with her. Sister Beth’s health has been failing over the past few years. She spent most of her days sleeping and could not attend the mass and recognition for all of the nuns.

However, she could sit at the table with the four family members, including Tom, nephew Steve, and nieces Jean and Laurie, when a lovely luncheon was served at the nursing home at a special table beautifully set for the occasion. Tom said the nuns had arranged a special lunch with several courses, including a delicious dessert.

He was in awe of how well the activities had been organized, ensuring the family members felt included. I wish I could have been there to partake, but that was not on my agenda, much to my disappointment.

St. Joseph’s Chapel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Tom and family attended the services on Saturday.

On the return drive, with both of us coughing, we stopped for breakfast at a Denny’s on the outskirts of Milwaukee and had a nice breakfast. When I asked the server what they used to cook omelets, requesting butter for my omelet, she explained they didn’t have butter and cooked their eggs in margarine, which I don’t eat due to its trans fats.

Instead of eggs, I had a salad for breakfast, minus any bottled dressing, and I used sour cream instead. Since it was Father’s Day, the restaurant was packed, but we managed to get seated in no time, and before we knew it, we were back on the road. Road construction and road closures approaching St. Paul created a traffic fiasco that slowed us down by about an hour.

The choir and organ are on this balcony in the church.

Once we arrived back in Eden Prairie, we stopped at a grocery store while I shopped for enough food to get us through the week and last night’s dinner. We purchased roasted chickens since I wasn’t feeling well enough to cook, and we didn’t feel well enough to dine out. We’d made plans with Tammy to go out to dinner for Father’s Day, but we felt bad postponing it until another date.

By the time we arrived back at the hotel, having to check in all over again, it had taken a while to get situated, considering we had everything we owned with us, including the groceries. The hotel staff delivered our three stored bags to the room, and Tom carried in the balance, including non-perishable foodstuffs we’d saved.

We’re fairly organized at this point. This room has four good-sized drawers we can use for folded clothes and has two closets for our hang-up clothes, unlike the last room. I still have a little unpacking, but there is nothing I can’t complete in a short time.

Whew! It’s good to be back here; hopefully, we’ll both feel well soon.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 17, 2014:

In Minnesota, these were called begonias, a flower that grew well in shady areas. For more photos, please click here.