Sister Lorraine Marie Weber
Born to earthly life: August 16, 1921
Religious profession: July 27, 1940
Entered eternal life: April 7, 2010
Sister Lorraine opens her autobiography with these words: “On the day following the beautiful feast of the assumption of our Blessed Mother, August 16, 1921, I entered the home of John Weber and Margaret Fees, the third of seven children, of whom the fourth and seventh died in babyhood. We lived on a large farm west of Marshfield. I was always proud of being brought up on a farm.”
The death of her playmate sister, Caroline, impacted her whole life. Lorraine was four when Caroline one day became ill and struggled for breath. Lorraine notes, “My dad was called from the barn. He took Caroline in his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder and was gone. I could not think of a nicer way to die than in my father’s arms.”
Lorraine attended Sacred Heart School and entered SSND after eighth grade. At reception, she received the name of Eugene after her oldest brother.
Sent out to teach, she wrote, “My first years of teaching were quite a struggle, not as far as the teaching was concerned, but because of the necessity to meet so many people. I only began to love teaching during my tenth year . . . I have ever been thankful that Reverend Mother Fidelis did not accept my request to go to housework.”
Sister taught in elementary schools 43 years – 19 years in five Milwaukee archdiocesan schools and 24 years in three La Crosse diocesan schools.
In 1983, Sister Lorraine shifted from teaching to pastoral ministry, working in the Wisconsin communities of Stevens Point and Marshfield. Meeting with the divorced and separated was a specialty of hers. The group was ecumenical and some traveled as far as 40 miles to be there.
Sister taught Scripture courses to adults and began a Charismatic prayer group that was combined with home Bible study. She had a gift for involving the whole parish in welcoming back to the church those who had left. There was no end to her zeal.
However, after a knee replacement in 2004, Lorraine moved to Havenwood Nursing Home and a year later to Theresa II at Notre Dame of Elm Grove.
Sister was adept at writing simple but beautiful religious songs. Father Martin Pable, OFM Cap, celebrated her funeral Liturgy and recalled how Lorraine had often made her retreat in Marathon, Wisconsin. Privileged to be her director several times, he was edified at the profound thoughts expressed in her songs and delighted when she sang them.
During my last visit with Lorraine, we talked about our jubilee celebrations coming up and she said, “If I’m still around at that time!” Like little Caroline, she slipped away quickly, to be held in her Father’s arms.
– Marie Regine Redig, SSND
Her ministry locations included:
- Holy Angels School, West Bend, Wis.
- St. Boniface School, Milwaukee, Wis.
- St. Aloysius School, West Allis, Wis.
- St. Joseph School, Black River Falls, Wis.
- St. James School, Mukwonago, Wis.
- St. Frances Cabrini School, West Bend, Wis.
- St. John School, Marshfield, Wis.
- St. Stephen School, Stevens Point, Wis.
- Our Lady of Peace Parish, Marshfield, Wis.
- Havenwood Nursing Home, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Elm Grove, Wis.
School Sister of Notre Dame, Lorraine Marie Weber died in Elm Grove, Wisconsin on April 7, 2010 at the age of 88. Sister Lorraine Marie is survived by her brothers, Eugene and Joseph Weber, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. A Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated April 13 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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