Sister Mary Stephen Koller, OSM (1912–2002), born Helen Marie Koller in Chicago, was baptized at Saint Francis Xavier Church. Her father was German, and her mother was American. She had four brothers and three sisters and grew up in Chicago’s Avendale-Lakeview area. Before joining the convent, she worked in mailrooms. Her religious interest was sparked at her friend Sister Laurentia Zielinski’s profession in 1944. She entered the Servants of Mary in 1947, became a novice, and received the name Sister Mary Stephen. She took her vows in 1948 and 1954. She worked at Addolorata Villa from 1949, trained as an LPN in 1955, and served as a nurse from 1964 to 1977. Later, she was a live-in companion, chauffeur, and volunteer at Addolorata. She started leading rosaries, earning the nickname “Rosary Sister,” which continued after her death. She enjoyed reading mystery novels and doing puzzles. Suffering several illnesses, she died of congestive heart failure at 89 on July 31, 2002. Memorial Masses were held at the Villa and the motherhouse, with burial in Ladysmith.

Lillian Eleanor Jaskot was born on April 4, 1917, in Chicago, Ill., to Walenty and Sophia (Trytek) Jaskot. She had two sisters, Anna and Stella. As a child, Lillian attended Holy Innocents School in Chicago. The school was staffed by Felician Sisters and offered bilingual education in English and Polish. Later, Lillian worked for a number of years at the American Linen Supply Company in Chicago. Lillian entered the Servants of Mary on Aug. 14, 1944, at the age of 27. She became a novice on Aug. 15, 1945, and received the name Sister Mary Sophia. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 16, 1946, and her final profession on Aug. 15, 1952. Sister Mary Sophia was a superb cook. Already as a postulant, she was assigned to the motherhouse kitchen, where she continued to prepare meals for the next eleven years. In 1956, she went to Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Ill., where she served as head cook for over 20 years. When she retired, she remained at the Villa and worked in a variety of volunteer ministries. She particularly enjoyed serving as receptioniSaint She was famous for the Christmas villages she constructed each year at the Villa for the enjoyment of residents, staff, and visitors. After her death, others continued the tradition, adding ever new figures and designs to the display. Sister Mary Sophia’s sisters, Anna and Stella, worked in a Chicago laundry most of their lives. When they died, they left their savings to Sister Mary Sophia, who, in turn, offered the legacy to the Villa to fund the stained glass windows for the chapel. Liturgical artist Jerry Krauski designed the windows, which were installed when the chapel was renovated in 1997. Sister Mary Sophia’s special favorite was the window depicting Saint Therese of Lisieux, to whom she was especially devoted. Sister Mary Sophia died on July 9, 1997, at Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines, Ill. She was 80. Father Marion Snieg presided at a memorial Mass at the Villa on July 12. Father John Anderson presided at the Mass of Christian Burial in the motherhouse chapel on July 14, with burial in the convent cemetery in Ladysmith.

Sean Fox was born in Chicago, Ill. She entered religious life on Aug. 30, 1958, and professed f irst vows on June 20, 1960. She holds a BS in elementary education from Mount Senario College, Ladysmith

Mary Rosanne Fogarty was born in Chicago, Ill., on July 4, 1939. She entered the Servants of Mary on August 15, 1956, and professed first vows on June 20, 1958. She holds a bachelor’s in elementary education and social sciences from Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, and a master’s in religious education from the University of Saint Thomas, Houston. Her ministries include serving as an elementary school teacher and principal in Minnesota, New Jersey, and West Virginia

Sister Rosalie Hennessey, 82, died Aug. 31, 2011, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa, Fla. She was born June 29, 1929, in Saint Paul, Minn., to Edward and Rosella (Francois) Hennessey, the second of four children. She grew up in Cylon, Wis., a small town near New Richmond, where she met the Servite Sisters who taught catechism there during summers. She attended two years of high school in New Richmond and then transferred to Our Lady of Sorrows High School in Ladysmith. She entered the Servants of Mary in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s in education from the College of Saint Catherine and a master’s in counseling from the University of Saint Thomas, Saint Paul, Minn. Her first assignment was to Saint Rose of Lima School, Roseville, Minn., where she ministered for 16 years, first as a teacher and then as principal. She served in administrative roles at Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, for 14 years, and in congregational leadership for four of those years. She moved to Tampa in 1982 and served for ten years as executive director of Alpha House, a crisis pregnancy center. In 2005 Alpha named a new building “The Rosalie Center” in her honor. She served as director of grants and services of the Conn Memorial Foundation, Tampa, for eight years. She retired in 2000 and continued her life of service as chair of the grants committee of the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center and a member of the grants committee of the Mary Alphonse Bradley Fund.

Sister Mary Roberta Prince, OSM, was born Margaret Dorothy Prince on Sept. 7, 1917, in Cooks Valley, Wis. She was one of seven siblings and educated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame. After high school, she joined the Servants of Mary in Ladysmith on Feb. 12, 1935. She became Sister Mary Roberta upon becoming a novice in 1935 and made her final profession of vows in 1939. Sister Roberta earned her bachelor’s degree at DePaul University, majoring in French and history, and a master’s in educational administration from Loyola University Chicago. She taught for 23 years in various states and served as principal at both Servite High School in Ladysmith and its Anaheim counterpart. From 1971 to 1980, she was on the Servants of Mary Leadership Team and later administered Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Ill., overseeing its expansion. Sister Mary Roberta retired in 1990 and moved into the Villa in 2001. She passed away peacefully on April 1, 2010, at the age of 92, with memorial services held on April 6 and 7.

Sister Mary Roberta Jahns, OSM, was born on February 2, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. She entered the Servants of Mary in 1947 and professed her final vows in 1953. Sister Mary Roberta dedicated her life to education, serving as a teacher and principal in various schools in Illinois and Nebraska. She was known for her commitment to her students and her ability to inspire them. Sister Mary Roberta passed away on September 15, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication to her community.

Sister Mary Robert Semerau, OSM (1924–2011) Mary Frances Semerau was born on Aug. 4, 1924, in Chicago, Ill. She grew up in a large family with three brothers and three sisters. Mary was baptized at Saint Gregory Church and attended local parish schools, where she excelled in basketball and music. Inspired by Servite Father James Keane, she entered the Servants of Mary on Dec. 8, 1947, becoming Sister Mary Robert. She made her first profession of vows in 1949 and her final vows in 1955. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Saint Scholastica and a master's from DePaul University, also studying at Saint Norbert College. Sister Mary Robert taught junior high in several states, served as vice-principal and principal, and was a certified Eucharistic Minister in Chicago. An avid roller skater, she used school gyms and later Addolorata Villa as her skating venues. After retiring in 2003, she continued to live at Addolorata Villa until her peaceful passing on Feb. 19, 2011, at 86. Father Nick Husain presided over her Mass of Christian Burial on Feb. 23, with burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

Bishop Raphael M. Hoolihan was a prominent religious leader known for his dedication to community service and spiritual guidance. His leadership was marked by a commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding within his congregation. Bishop Hoolihan played a significant role in various charitable initiatives, emphasizing the importance of compassion and support for those in need. His teachings often focused on the values of empathy, kindness, and the power of faith in overcoming life's challenges. Throughout his tenure, he was respected for his wisdom and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, leaving a lasting impact on the community he served.

Sister Martha Kormendy, OSM 1927–2009 M artha Gezella Kormendy was born on June 3, 1927, in Java, S.D., the youngest of 16 children born to George Kormendy and Sophia (Zambo) Kormendy. Both of her parents were born in Hungary. Martha had nine sisters, Agnes , Ethel (Sister Mary Charles, OSB), Matilda, Anne, Margaret, Elizabeth, Gizella, Ann, and Irene, and six brothers, Joseph, John, Lawrence, Felix, Kalman, and Emil. Martha learned of the Servite Sisters from Father Peter Minwegen, OMI, a missionary to the Dakotas who came to know and admire the Ladysmith Servites while serving in the nearby town of Cornell, Wis. She entered the community on Nov. 1, 1944 and became a novice on Aug. 15, 1945, receiving the name Sister Mary Philomena (she later returned to her baptismal name). She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 16, 1946, and her final profession on Aug. 15, 1952. Sister Martha’s first assignments were to household duties. With further education, including a bachelor’s degree from Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, she taught in elementary schools staffed by the Servants of Mary in Wisconsin, Illinois, and New Jersey. She took courses at Saint Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., to prepare for ministry in religious education and then served on the religious education staff of the Diocese of Superior and as coordinator of religious education at parishes in Medford, New Richmond, Erin Prairie, and Bruce, Wis. In 1986, Sister Martha moved to San Xavier Mission in Tucson, Ariz., to minister among the Papago Indians, a work she dearly loved. She left the Mission after nine years and worked for a time in home care in Tucson before retiring in 1997. While in Tucson, she joined a Witness for Peace delegation to Nicaragua, where she spent a week living with the people and being a nonviolent presence. In 2003 Sister Martha moved back to Wisconsin and settled in Bruce. She enjoyed spending time with friends, playing cards, hosting parties, playing the guitar, and singing. In March 2009, Sister Martha was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which had spread to her brain, lungs, and other organs. She decided against treatment and moved to Rusk County Memorial Nursing Home in Ladysmith, where she died on June 2, 2009, on the eve of her 82nd birthday. In keeping with her wishes, her body was cremated. Father James Bartelme presided at the Mass of Christian Burial in the motherhouse chapel on June 6, with burial in the convent cemetery in Ladysmith.

Sister Casimira Benbenek, 70, died Sept. 28, 2013, at Avanti Health & Rehabilitation Center in Minocqua, Wis., following a long battle with multiple health-related issues. She was born in Chicago on Nov. 23, 1942. She grew up on a farm near Hazelhurst, Wis., and attended Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. She joined the Servants of Mary in 1960 and professed first vows in 1962. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree from Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a graduate of Saint Norbert’s Theological Institute, DePere, Wis., and she also studied at DePaul University, Chicago

Sister Paula Jaworski, OSM, 96, died peacefully on April 22, 2015, at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Ill. She was born on Chicago's north side on Oct. 31, 1918, to Paul and Frances (Karpinski) Jaworski and baptized Frances Victoria. She had two younger brothers, Sylvester, who became a Divine Word Missionary priest, and Thaddeus. Her father was a shipping clerk for a company that made furniture frames, and her mother worked as a tailor before marrying. When Frances was just six years old, her mother died of tuberculosis. Sylvester was then five, and Thaddeus nine months. At a very young age Frances became the family's "mother" and had to grow up quickly. Prior to entering the convent, she worked as a babysitter and cook for a kosher Jewish family in Chicago and then in various factories, going from making Babe Ruth candy bars, to toys, to parts for fighter planes. In the mid 1940s Frances felt called to religious life but was not sure what order to join. She consulted her brother Sylvester, who was then studying for the priesthood at the Divine Word seminary in Techny, Ill. He told her that he had heard good things about the Servite Sisters at the nearby Addolorata Villa in Wheeling. She took a leave of absence from her job to work at the Villa and get acquainted with the Sisters. Before long, she told Mother Alphonse of her desire to enter the community and was accepted. Frances entered the Servants of Mary in Ladysmith on Feb. 2, 1947. Six months later, on Aug. 15, she became a novice and received the name Sister Mary Paula (she later shortened it to Paula). She took first vows on Aug. 16, 1948, and final vows on Aug, 15, 1954. She earned a bachelor's degree from Mount Senario College and spent 35 years teaching grades one through five in Catholic schools in Illinois, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The bulk of those years were spent at Saint Domitilla School in Hillside, Ill., where she taught for 28 years. She retired from teaching at Hillside in 1991 and then volunteered at the school for five more years. In 1996 she moved to Addolorata Villa, where she found great joy in helping others and in serving as sacristan, Eucharistic minister, minister of care, and choir member. In 2006 she received the Caring Hearts Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago. She was known for her infectious laugh and for the motto by which she lived: "Helping and serving others creates a happy, caring heart!"

Sister Rosemary Mayer passed away on August 4, 2014, at the age of 86 due to injuries from a car accident in Orlando. She was a founding member of WIM/CRI and worked at the BETA Center.

Sister Anne Patrice McEntegart, OSM (1921-2019), lived to be 97 years old. She dedicated 40 years to teaching and was a member of the leadership team.