Sister Mary Arnold Franz
Born to earthly life: November 28, 1918
Religious profession: July 27, 1940
Entered eternal life: January 3, 2010
This vibrant, indomitable sister who added such zest as homemaker in her nine places of ministry writes so delightfully in her autobiography that I will let her speak for herself.
“I was born on Thanksgiving Day, 1918, on a farm in Woodmohr, Wisconsin, the third of ten children. I attended St. Peter’s School, Tilden, Wisconsin, and from there I entered the convent. My great desire was to be a missionary sister, but when my sister, Sister Mary Edna, entered SSND, I found myself drawn to enter the same place and be happy with her.
“My first assignment was to Harbor Springs, Michigan. It seemed as though my desire for missionary work was fulfilled because I spent twenty years there which were filled with joys, sorrows, and hard work among Indian children. My desire for even more missionary work was fulfilled again when I received my assignment to St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I found real joy in my work with the Cuban boys, God’s poorest of poor children.
“I had another opportunity to work with people of another culture when I served migrants in Wautoma, Wisconsin. I loved it even though there were many hardships.”
One of Sister’s Cuban orphan boys evoked tears at her funeral when he said, “Sister Arnold was mother to me then and through the years.” In her stirring funeral eulogy, Sister Marie Rose Van Duerzen, said that everything in Sister Arnold’s life was like an adventure and she had the gift of transforming difficulties into occasions of laughter as she related them. Her fun-loving spirit, and deep, hearty laugh lifted spirits of community members, coworkers, and therapists at Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
Sister Marie Rose said that the transition to skilled care at Elm Grove was Sister’s last challenge. Despite her failing eyesight and inability to walk, she delighted her therapists with a demonstration that with their help she could walk again just days before she died. “It was fitting that Sister died on the feast of the Three Kings and the beginning of National Migration Week. On that day the mystery of life was fully revealed to her.”
– Mary Catherine Dundon, SSND
In 1939, when she became a postulant, the joy of her reception day was even greater because she received her little brother’s name. Sister Mary Arnold made her first profession on July 27, 1940. This year, she would have celebrated her 70th jubilee (anniversary) as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Sister Mary Arnold ministered for 55 years as a homemaker and also was a volunteer, responding to pastoral ministry needs in the communities where she lived and worked. She served by her prayers and presence when she retired in 2004 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Convent, Mt. Calvary, Wis. and also when she came to live at Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
Sister Mary Arnold’s ministry locations included:
- Holy Childhood School, Harbor Springs, Mich.
- St. Joseph Home, Green Bay, Wis.
- Notre Dame Infirmary, Elm Grove, Wis.
- St. John School, Marshfield, Wis.
- St. Steven School, Stevens Point, Wis.
- St. Joseph Parish, Wautoma, Wis.
- Fatima Community, Bear Creek, Wis.
- Sacred Heart Parish, Allenton, Wis.
- Tri-Parish Catholic Community, Allenton, Wis.
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Mt. Calvary, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary Arnold Franz is survived by her brothers, Arnold and Gerald, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated Saturday, January 7, at Holy Family Chapel, Notre Dame of Elm Grove. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund is appreciated.
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