Congregation of the Humility of Mary

Sister Corrine Foley

June 29, 1920 - November 6, 2015 | Passed On

Sister was always gracious and patient. Her education ministry covered schools in four dioceses: Davenport, Des Moines, Great Falls/Billings and Phoenix. She taught in both elementary and high schools. She was at St. Anthony, Des Moines, three different times and always commented on how much she liked being there. In each case it was a group of imaginative students matched with an energetic teacher. During her last months at Bishop Drumm she would often have visits from former students. Politics and science were generally the topics of conversation.

Sister Mary Rocca

September 26, 1935 - October 27, 2015 | Passed On

Mary was a woman of many gifts that were shared with many people. She was a teacher in the elementary grades, nurse, English language teacher to people from other countries, playful clown for children and adults, sister to eight siblings, and “sister” to her CHM sisters and associates

Sister Marie Ven Horst

February 8, 1916 - October 17, 2015 | Passed On

She began the 8:00 a.m. class with a science experiment with flames or a loud noise just to make sure all were awake. Then she would declare, “Isn’t science wonderful!...she endeared herself to hundreds of science students and, later, to weekend graduate students with her excellent teaching, sound advice, and sense of humor.

Sister Marie Ven Horst

February 8, 1916 - October 17, 2015 | Passed On

Sister Helene broke the Ph.D. glass ceiling at the University of iowa in the chemistry and physics departments with her degree in 1952. Sister returned to Marycrest where she endeared herself to hundreds of science students and, later, to weekend graduate students with her excellent teaching, sound advice, and sense of humor.

Sister Modesta Neubauer

May 30, 1925 - October 4, 2015 | Passed On

We saw that very early that Sr. Modesta was interested in caring for others. This thread would run through all of her ministries, from caring for small children through assisting her CHM sisters who needed nursing care.

Sister Joanne Mauro

February 5, 1940 - August 28, 2015 | Passed On

Sister Joanne’s commitment to her family was definitely a ministry. She not only taught and counseled nieces and nephews but also grandnieces and nephews and cousins near and distant....She was definitely a woman of prayer.

Sister Carolyn Mullin

August 18, 1920 - August 28, 2015 | Passed On

She was a person who enjoyed life and accepted adversity with humor and common sense. She could quickly analyze an issue, accept what was relevant and not worry herself with what wasn’t. Her matter of fact way was both reassuring and often very humorous

Sister Mary Anne Leto

February 16, 1928 - July 1, 2015 | Passed On

Sister Mary Anne brought a warm, kindly demeanor to those she served, be it students, elderly residents or her CHM sisters. We remember her smile and will miss it

Sister Marcia Marie Costello

October 19, 1931 - June 3, 2015 | Passed On

She said that she knew from age 10 that she was going to be a sister but she had three things on her “bucket list” before entering: to complete a degree, to date a nice Catholic young man and have a good time, and to ride to the convent in a Cadillac. In 1953, with a degree from Marycrest College, and having dated a Catholic man for more than two years, her father bought a “baby-blue” Cadillac in which she rode to the Humility of Mary motherhouse in Ottumwa on September 8.

Sister Marilyn Brinker

May 19, 1943 - April 4, 2015 | Passed On

It involved following one’s intuition, feelings, and inner spirit...It meant trusting one’s openness in ministry while celebrating life experiences...It demanded discerning decisions, managing difficult choices, taking risks for the good of the whole, while being guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Sister Patrice Steffes

August 19, 1942 - March 11, 2015 | Passed On

In her “block” on the bicentennial quilt at the foot of the steps to the dining room, Patrice shows a figure at an easel, a cat at her foot, surrounded by the things she named as important to her: community, friends, family, teacher, children, animals, art, gifts from God, angels and bike riding.

Sister Maxine Connaway

October 3, 1929 - March 5, 2015 | Passed On

What comes out is the wonderful life of service of a very committed woman. Her Irish wit was used well throughout her life..

Sister Michelle Schiffgens

June 27, 1930 - March 3, 2015 | Passed On

Sister Michelle received numerous awards for her far-sighted work in education. In 1989 she was named Iowa’s Most Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa. One of the most prized awards was the Henderson Medal, the highest award given by the Marycrest alumni.

Sister Ana Maria Orozco

October 26, 1926 - September 5, 2014 | Passed On

… a delicate thoughtfulness, selflessness toward others, sensibility of mind and generosity of heart—all of these are precious virtues we all admire in another. But when these qualities are coupled with a gay buoyant spirit of fun, the result is a uniqueness which is difficult to emulate.”

Sister Marilyn Reyes

March 2, 1919 - January 28, 2014 | Passed On

Sister often said of her activities; "I'm just evangelizing." She left evangelizing footprints on the soil from Chicago to Great Falls, Montana, from Peoria, to San Diego, from Des Moines to Mexico, from California to El Paso. Hundreds of people are better off as a result of her footprints, and our CHM community is richer for her having been among us for 78 years.

Sister Stories

Sister Corrine Foley

Sister Mary Rocca

Sister Marie Ven Horst

Sister Marie Ven Horst

Sister Modesta Neubauer

Sister Joanne Mauro

Sister Carolyn Mullin

Sister Mary Anne Leto

Sister Marcia Marie Costello

Sister Marilyn Brinker

Sister Patrice Steffes

Sister Maxine Connaway

Sister Michelle Schiffgens

Sister Ana Maria Orozco

Sister Marilyn Reyes