Sister Mary DeChantal Stadler
Born to earthly life: March 21, 1913
Religious profession: August 10, 1934
Entered eternal Life: January 30, 2011
School Sister of Notre Dame, Mary DeChantal Stadler died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis. on January 30, 2011 at the age of 97.
Sister Mary DeChantal was the youngest of eleven children, five boys and six girls. Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, March 21, 1913, she received the name Hannah Angelina at her baptism. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School, studied at St. Joseph's High School for two years, and then completed the last two years at Appleton High School.
In 1931 Sister entered the candidature and was professed in 1934. She attended both Mount Mary College and Stout Institute in Menomonie, Wisconsin, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947. She majored in Foods, with minors in Clothing and Education.
Sister's first year of teaching was as a candidate in the kindergarten at Holy Cross, Milwaukee. The young teacher thought she had the most beautiful room in the building, with lovely bay windows facing a scenic view of woods in the background. She often took her class outside for lessons. Returning one day from an appointment, she told the superior, "I never expect to have such a beautiful classroom again." "It isn't the place or the people," responded the superior, "but the peace in your own soul." That sentence remained with Sister DeChantal like a red thread, woven through all the days of her religious life.
From 1934-1962 Sister taught Home Economics at Wisconsin high schools: Notre Dame in Chippewa Falls, St. Mary's in Burlington, and Columbus in Marshfield, as well as at St. Michael's in Chicago. For the next 20 years, she served at the motherhouse in Mequon, Wisconsin, where she taught Home Economics at Caroline Academy and later became the "hostess with the most-est," preparing meals as the Director of the Guest House. Everyone, it seems, was a "Honey Bunny" to her.
In 1982, after the motherhouse was sold, Sister moved to St. John's convent in South Milwaukee where she helped with the preparation of meals, continuing her cooking and baking in retirement. In 1991 Sister retired to Visitation Convent in Elm Grove. She moved to Havenwood in 2002 and three years later returned to Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
Sister's nephew remembers his aunt "as loquacious, fun-loving, happy, caring, and a loveable individual who always had God on her mind and held Him forever in her heart." I think we can all say "Amen" to that and add an "Alleluia" as well.
– Anton Marie Voissem, SSND
Sister Mary DeChantal received a Bachelor of Science with a major in foods and minors in clothing and education from Stout Institute, Menomonie, Wis. She ministered in education for nearly 50 years, primarily in high schools where she taught foods, clothing and home economics. When she retired in 1982, she shared her gifts through community service. In 1991, she retired to the Notre Dame of Elm Grove Community where she served through her prayers and presence.
Sister Mary DeChantal's ministry locations included:
- Notre Dame, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- St. Mary, Burlington, Wis.
- St. Michael, Chicago, Ill.
- Columbus High School, Marshfield, Wis.
- St. John, South Milwaukee, Wis.
- Visitation, Elm Grove, Wis.
- Havenwood, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary DeChantal Stadler, SSND died at Notre Dame of Elm Grove on January 30, 2011, age 97. She is survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service was celebrated February 3, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 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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