Sister Mary Conrad Van Straten
Born to earthly life: March 19, 1915
Religious profession: August 2, 1935
Entered eternal life: February 1, 2010
In the 1930s, large Catholic families were the norm, but the Van Straten family of eight children was far from normal. Of the eight, the six girls were “sandwiched” between the two boys, one on each end, and of those six, five became School Sisters of Notre Dame. Sister Mary Conrad was the fourth of the five girls to enter the convent.
Born in 1915 to Peter Van Straten and Louise DeCleene in DePere, Wisconsin, and baptized Lillian, she thrived on the hard farm work before and after the school day, but she also relished the family fun. “Though we may have had little,” she wrote, “we had everything. We were loved.”
After graduating from DePere High School in 1932, she told her mother about her desire to become a Notre Dame, evoking her mother’s main concern, “Child, I hope you are not going because your three sisters have gone.” Assuring her mother, Lillian entered the Candidature, and three years later was professed as Sister Mary Conrad.
This began her journey of 26 years as a grade school teacher, followed by 25 years of teaching math in high school. At three schools, she had the added duties of being the principal or assistant principal. In two of the mission communities, she was also the local leader. She carried her many responsibilities with characteristic intensity and drive, along with a concern for others that was bolstered by a deep trust in the power of prayer.
Connie’s favorite quote was, “The seed of God is in us.” Typical of her zeal and generosity to spread that seed, at age 74, she accepted a request to direct the RCIA program at St. Mary’s Parish, Menasha, Wisconsin. Moving to a small parish house, she delighted in hosting small group sessions of adults, where her warm hospitality and joyful spirit made religion come alive.
She spent four more years as a volunteer in the RCIA program in Omro, Wisconsin, before retiring at Notre Dame of Elm Grove in 1997. There she joined her Sister-sisters and tended her growing seeds until her death in 2010.
– Marie Le Clerc Laux, SSND
Sister Mary Conrad professed her first vows in 1935 and would have celebrated 75 years as an SSND this summer. She received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in mathematics and minors in chemistry and English from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Detroit.
Sister Mary Conrad served for over 50 years as a teacher and administrator. In later years, she worked as the director of a parish RCIA (Rite for Christian Initiation of Adults) program, as well as a part time teacher and volunteer in community service. In 1997, she retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove where she ministered through her prayers and presence.
Her ministry locations included:
- St. Anne School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Peter School, Beaver Dam, Wis.
- St. Mary School, Fort Wayne, Ind.
- St. Gabriel School, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
- St. Michael, Chicago, Ill.
- Catholic Central High School, Marinette, Wis.
- Caroline Academy, Mequon, Wis.
- St. Mary Central High School, Marinette, Wis.
- St. Mary Parish, Menasha, Wis.
- Wisconsin Volunteer Service, Omro, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
Sister Mary Conrad is survived by her sister Sr. Mary Louise Van Straten, SSND, sister-in-law Rosemary Van Straten, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated February 4, 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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