Sister mary Ann Therese Schiferl
Born to earthly life: November 23, 1919
Religious profession: July 27, 1940
Entered eternal life: August 3, 2010
Sister Mary Ann Therese Schiferl (Rita) was born on November 23, 1919, the ninth of ten children. Rita was only three years old when her mother died at the age of 34. Her father never remarried and managed to raise this big family with everyone helping each other.
The German language was spoken at home. Rita had to learn some English before she started school. A neighbor girl helped her with English and Rita taught the neighbor some German. Rita went to elementary school at St. Joseph’s in Hewitt, Wisconsin, a four-room school with SSND teachers.
Rita loved the sisters and enjoyed helping them. Sister Theodora Stromberg, her seventh and eighth grade teacher, encouraged Rita to think about becoming a religious, but, after graduating, she helped with the farm work. Two years later, in 1935, when her younger sister graduated, she and Florence, (Sister Mary Leonelle), both entered the high school aspiranture. They were together until 1939 when Rita became a novice—to the surprise of their father, who envisioned Florence as a religious, but he wasn’t so sure about Rita!
After profession in 1940, Sister worked as an elementary school teacher for 49 years, most often teaching grades two and three, preparing children for First Communion. Getting a college education took many Saturdays and summer sessions of study. In those days the sisters earned their degrees by “degree.”
In her autobiography Sister wrote, “Not all summers were spent in studying. There were times when I catechized and had some unique experiences. While teaching at Elba, Wisconsin, I taught in the church annex (kitchen); another sister was in the sanctuary; one was in the church proper; and another was in the choir loft. When it was too hot we would go out to the cemetery and teach while the children sat on the tombstones. If it was too cold, I would turn on the oven for a little heat.”
In July 1989, Sister Ann Therese joined her sister, Sister M. Leonelle, in new ministries. They worked as assistants at a nursing home in Janesville, Wisconsin, for about a year, and then, until 2002, as pastoral ministers to the sick and elderly at St. William Parish in Janesville. They told the pastor that they would be a “package deal—two for the price of one.”
In 2002, the Schiferl sisters came to NDEG to retire. They continued their loving service of prayer and presence. During those years, they also spent much time making jams and jellies to sell in our gift shop.
Even in failing health Sister Ann Therese enjoyed communing with nature. She spent much time outdoors and made frequent visits to Mother Caroline’s grave.
– Sister Anton Marie Voissem
Sister Mary Ann Therese professed her first vows in 1940 and recently celebrated her 70 years of religious life. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English and minors in social science and history from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sister Mary Ann Therese ministered for 50 years as a teacher to children in the primary grades. After she left classroom teaching, she worked in pastoral ministry, with a special focus on the sick and elderly. She retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove in 2002, where she served through volunteer activities and by her prayers and presence.
Sister Mary Ann Therese’s ministry locations included:
- St. Michael, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Ambrose, Chicago, Ill.
- All Saints, Chicago, Ill.
- St. Bernadette, Rockford, Ill.
- St. Anne, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. John, Marshfield, Wis.
- SS. Peter and Paul, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
- Holy Rosary, Darlington, Wis.
- St. Mary, Burlington, Wis.
- St. Bruno, Dousman, Wis.
- St. Elizabeth Nursing Home, Janesville, Wis.
- St. William Parish, Janesville, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary Ann Therese is survived by her sisters, Sister Leonelle Schiferl, SSND and Tina Schopen, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated on August 6 at Holy Family Chapel, Notre Dame of Elm Grove, 13105 Watertown Plank Road. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund is appreciated.
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