Sister Mary Anne Leto
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
Read More
Sister Marcia Marie Costello
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.
Read More
Sister Marilyn Brinker
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.
Read More
Sister Patrice Steffes
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.
Read More
Sister Maxine Connaway
What comes out is the wonderful life of service of a very committed woman. Her Irish wit was used well throughout her life..
Read More
Sister Michelle Schiffgens
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.
Read More
Sister Ana Maria Orozco
… 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.”
Read More
Sister Marilyn Reyes
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.
Read More
Sister Kathryn Kreager
Who knew when a rookie physical education teacher applied to teach at Ottumwa Heights Academy and Junior College that the CHMs would soon have a postulant from the "north country." Growing up in a family of five siblings and living in such a rugged climate probably gave her an edge in becoming a real sports enthusiast
Read More
Sister Nancy Wooldridge
When we think of Sister Nancy we think of music, teaching, nursing, care-taking, cleaning, gardening, gluing puzzles, and story-telling. Music was definitely a recurring theme in her life.
Read More
Sister Ann Leahy
Sister Ann was never one to be idle. When the new sister’s wing was finished at Bishop Drumm and our infirm sisters in the Care Center were moved to the facility in Johnston, Sister became the coordinator for the CHM group there. As usual she went about her work quietly taking care to get sisters to their doctor’s appointments, shopping for their needs, welcoming their relatives and friends, communicating with their relatives and praying with them – especially at the time of death
Read More
Sister Leona Mary Manning
After receiving a MS in Library Science from the University of Iowa, she ministered as high school librarian at Gehlen High School in Le Mars, Iowa, and Dowling High School, Des Moines. She then spent eighteen years as periodical librarian at Marycrest College...The energetic sister with the jaunty step and the twinkling blue eyes will certainly be missed by her family, her CHM sisters and associates, and friends. I am certain that she greeted St. Peter as she greeted many of us each day – `How do.`
Read More
Sister Rose Mary Eich
Sister seemed to be at home with all of God’s people being open to learning about them and being willing to serve wherever the Spirit led her. No one can deny that she did more than her share in building up the body of Christ.
Read More
Sister Joan Gabel
Her sense of humor lightened many a moment. Like her Irish mother, she had a humorous streak which often brought a laugh or tickled the funny bone. Her strong sense of purpose, love of nature, and introspectiveness reflected her father
Read More
Sister Mary Lou Durbala
We can see that Sister Mary Lou through her many years of teaching fanned the Humility flame in many diverse places.
Read More