Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
June 13, 2001
Sisters of St. Francis honor jubilarians
Six Sisters give 385 years of service to Church
The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Sacred Heart Province, celebrated jubilee anniversaries in Alliance, Neb., in May. Many of the sisters live in Alliance today; however, their motherhouse is in Denver.
Jubilarians for 2001 are Sister Elma Vifquain, 80 years; Sister Leonita Hager, 70 years; Sister Eustacia Krenzel, 65 years; Sister Francis Grubb, 60 years; Sister Margaret Schneider, 60 years; and Sister Annette Tschacher, 50 years.
Sister Elma Vifquain
For 20 years Sister Elma Vifquain taught in elementary and middle schools in New York, Ohio, New Jersey and Colorado. She went on to administrative positions for the next 18 years in schools and hospitals in North Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado. Between 1951-1963, she was the Provincial Minister for the Sacred Heart Province and then returned to her hospital administration for three more years.
Her favorite memories are from her teaching days. She says she still hears from many students who are now grandparents and one who is a retired priest. Currently, Sister Elma is living at Marian Residence in Alliance, Neb., and at 99, she is the oldest community member in the Province.
Sister Leonita Hager
Sister Leonita Hager has committed her entire career to educating children. Her 56 years of teaching extended from New York to Ohio and North and South Dakota and finally to Nebraska. Words of encouragement for Sister Leonita come from Mother Magdalen, "God will provide."
After years of teaching typing, Sister Leonita is now learning computer skills. Sister Leonita is currently living at Marian Residence and is joined with her sister, Sister Helena Hager. Sister Leonita loves to crochet and has won several ribbons at county fairs for her creations over the years.
Sister Eustacia Krenzel
Sister Eustacia Krenzel spent 39 years of her life dedicated to working in business administration in healthcare in Nebraska and North Dakota. During her early years as a sister, she worked in hospitality in New York, Nebraska and South Dakota. Since 1986, she served several years as hospitality director at Marycrest in Denver and served as the director of the associate program until her retirement in 2000.
During her years in Stella Niagara, N.Y., when full habits and cloaks (instead of coats) were worn, one of her duties was to take first graders outside for recess. One afternoon one of the little girls asked Sister Eustacia for a sandwich. Sister said she didn't have any sandwiches. The little girl insisted, "you do, too! You have a big pocket with everything in it!"
Sister Eustacia now lives in Denver at Marycrest.
Sister Francis Grubb
After becoming a registered nurse and receiving anesthetist training, Sister Francis Grubb worked in healthcare for 44 years in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Colorado. Her most memorable experience as a Sister of St. Francis is seeing and serving Christ in the sick people she served.
Sister Francis has since retired and is living at Good Samaritan Village in Alliance, Neb.
Sister Margaret Schneider
Entering the Sisters of St. Francis in 1941, Sister Margaret Schneider worked in hospitality for various ministries in Nebraska and Colorado. She received her certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education and served in that capacity for 15 years. Sister Margaret treasures her memories of working at St. Hospital in O'Neill, Neb., and says, "I ministered to the people there and yet, in many ways they ministered to me."
She retired in 2000 and moved to an apartment in O'Neill, Neb., where she still visits the sick and elderly.
Sister Annette Tschacher
Sister Annette Tschacher has served as a teacher, secretary-treasurer, dietary supervisor, provincial archivist and in various administrative positions over the years. Her knowledge and experience has proven invaluable and allowed her to successfully fulfill various positions over the years.
She is now living at St. Francis House in Alliance and serves as bookkeeper for Marian Residence. Sister Annette has one of the most extensive collections of kitty figurines on earth and recently adopted two beautiful "real" kitties, Buffy Marie and Fluffy Marie.
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