Sister Doris Ann, OSM, was a member of the Order of Servants of Mary. She dedicated her life to serving others through her religious community. Her work was characterized by compassion and commitment to the values of her order. Sister Doris Ann Samens is a 70-year jubilarian who has served as a teacher and principal, pastoral associate, and member of a leadership team. Sister Doris Ann Samens was honored 2008 as Woman of the Year of the Chicago Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was nominated by the Saint Francis Xavier Women’s Guild of Saint Theresa Parish in Palatine, Ill. Each parish of the Archdiocese may select one woman each year for this honor. In their nomination, the Women’s Guild said, “Sister has been a Servite Sister for 59 years. We were blessed to have her as our Minister of Care for 13 of those years.” Sister Doris Ann began her ministry at Saint Therese in 1989 and served there until 2002 when she retired from active ministry. During that time she worked with the homeless and the bereaved. Within a year of her arrival at the parish, she was instrumental in helping to initiate PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. PADS is a program serving individuals and families who are homeless, or at-risk of homelessness, through shelter, housing, and supportive services. T he Guild’s nomination further stated, “We have all seen the results of her ministries in our parish in many ways. Communion calls to the sick, blood drives, assist-a-family, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, ministry of praise, and the food pantry are just a few of the ministries Sister worked with here at Saint Theresa.” In retirement, Sister now ministers as a presence among the people of Saint T herese Parish

Sister Mary McDermott participated in a peaceful protest and was photographed in Ladysmith. She attended Sister Alice Henke's jubilee celebration and marked 40 years of religious profession alongside other diamond jubilee celebrants. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, on August 7, 1950, she is the third of six children. She entered the convent in 1975 and took her first vows in 1977. Sister Mary earned a B.S. in Medical Technology from the University of Minnesota and worked as a medical technologist for over 30 years at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She now lives at the Sisters' residence in Ladysmith.

Sister Cecilia Fandel, OSM, born in 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, joined the Servants of Mary in 1946 and took her final vows in 1952. She dedicated her life to education, working as a teacher and principal in numerous schools across Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska. Renowned for her commitment to students and her inspiring nature, Sister Cecilia also held leadership roles within her religious community, aiding in the growth of the Servants of Mary. She passed away in 2019, leaving a legacy of service, education, and faith. As a 60-year jubilarian, she has served as a teacher, principal, community organizer, Hispanic outreach minister, and leadership team member. At age 79, she was interviewed by nursing students about 'Nun Culture' and has experience with Hispanic and Native American communities. Sister Cecilia attended Sister Alice Henke's jubilee celebration and sings with the Superior Diocesan Chorale, which rehearses at the former Servants of Mary motherhouse in Ladysmith. The choir performs at liturgical events locally and abroad. She loves singing, finding it spiritually joyful, especially enjoying "Down to the River to Pray" by Alison Krauss. Sister Cecilia accepted the Legacy Award from the Greater Ladysmith Area Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Sisters. She also built an Ojibwe wigwam and coordinated a Native American exhibit at the Rusk County Museum.

Sister Loretta Lonsdorf began ministering at Saint Anthony Parish in Brooksville, Florida, in 1982 as the director of the RCIA program. She retired in 1999 but continued volunteering in parish ministry. In 2010, she moved to Sun City Center, Florida, and later relocated to Rice Lake, Wisconsin, in October 2017.

Sister Dolores Henke, OSM, 90, died peacefully on May 24, 2023, at Ladysmith Care and Rehab. She was born in Thorp, Wis., on August 10, 1932, to Emil and Anna (Baldeschwiler) Henke. She joined the Servants of Mary in Ladysmith in 1953 and received the religious name Sister Mary Marcelline. She held a BA in elementary education from the College of Saint Catherine, Saint Paul, Minn., and an MA in religious education from Loyola University Chicago. As a teacher and later a principal, she worked for sixteen years in the Catholic school system in Weyerhaeuser, Wis.

Sister Mary Lucy Daniels (1925-2020) was a dedicated teacher and administrator who also served as the director of pastoral care. She lived to 95. At 92, she celebrated her 75th jubilee of religious profession. Born in Weyerhaeuser, WI, she first met the Servite Sisters during a three-week hospital stay at Saint Mary's Hospital in Ladysmith. As the oldest of 14 children, she entered the convent at age 15. She worked as a hospital chaplain from 1978 to 1995 and was the first woman to serve as a chaplain at Ladysmith since 1912. She was deeply committed to her vocation, saying she never felt tempted to leave or go back home.

Sister Teresa Schueller, born on February 24, 1930, in Ladysmith, was the youngest of four children to William and Isabella Schueller. She attended Pioneer School in Jump River and graduated from Saint Mary's High School in Ladysmith. In 1948, she entered the convent as Sister Mary Loyola. She earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from Viterbo University, a master's in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and a certificate in spiritual direction from Saint Norbert College. Sister Teresa taught for 19 years in elementary schools and at Servite High School in Ladysmith. She worked with Catholic Charities, served as a pastoral associate, and was a counselor with Lutheran Social Services. She initiated the Christian Counseling Service in the Woodruff-Rhinelander area and was a hospice chaplain. She participated in the Ministry to Ministers program and served on various boards and teams. Sister Teresa helped establish several programs for teenagers and was an assistant to the Saint Peregrine Community of Secular Servites. An avid sports fan, she especially loved the Green Bay Packers. She passed away on February 24, 2017, at the age of 87, survived by her sister-in-law Anna, nieces, and nephews.

Sister Mary Louise Lawinger, OSM 1909–2002 M arian Dorothy Lawinger was born on July 18, 1909, in Mineral Point, Wis., to Francis and Mary Louise (Brown) Lawinger. She was baptized on July 18 at Saint Paul Church in Mineral Point. She had four brothers, Herman, Francis, Leslie, and Robert

Sister Geraldine Schulte, OSM, was a dedicated member of the Order of Servants of Mary. She devoted her life to education, serving as a teacher and principal in various schools. Her commitment to her faith and community was evident in her work, and she was known for her kindness and leadership. Sister Geraldine's legacy is marked by her contributions to the educational and spiritual growth of those she served. Sister Geraldine Schulte is one of three nonagenarians who joined the Servants of Mary 75 years ago and recently celebrated her diamond jubilee. Sister Geraldine Schulte, 91 years old from Cumberland, WI, celebrated her 75th jubilee. She became a novice in August 1941 and took her first vows in 1942. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in mathematics from Viterbo University and a master's degree in natural science from the University of Oklahoma. Sister Geraldine taught grades 1-8, at a Catholic high school, and at Mount Senario College in various locations, including New Jersey, West Virginia, and Illinois. She remarked, "I've always been able to do things that I don't think I would have thought of doing."

Sister Mary Pat Hill, 69, died peacefully on August 14, 2016 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born in La Crosse on May 15, 1947 to Merle and Ann Marie (Daly) Hill, the oldest of six children, and grew up in La Crosse. She joined the Servants of Mary (Servite Sisters) in 1961 as a high school freshman. Her first profession of vows was made in 1967 and her final profession was celebrated in 1974. Sister received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in education and a minor in social studies from Mount Senario College in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. She earned an MA in applied theology from the Graduate Theological Union School of Applied Theology in Berkley, California. She also attended a summer program at the Maryknoll School of Theology in Maryknoll, New York. Her ministries included 13 years teaching elementary school in Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. For six years she served as an Informational Systems Staff Member at Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice in Washington D.C., that urges elected officials to end hunger in the U.S. and abroad. She was a team member at Groundwork for a Just World, a social justice organization of approximately 5000 members in Detroit, Michigan. From 1997 until her death she had a free lance website ministry called Hill Connections. An avid social justice activist, Sister served on several national and Servite justice and peace boards and committees, and volunteered with a number of social justice and legislative organizations. She could often be found marching or boycotting for social justice causes and issues. She also participated in immersion experiences in Mexico and Nicaragua. Sister Mary Pat died in her 49th year of religious profession. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Marie Hill, a brother, Thomas Joseph Hill, a sister Catherine Ann Yeager, and a stepmother, Jayne Nault Hill.

Sister Mary John VanderLoop, OSM, 101, passed away on March 23, 2020, at Lake Manor in Ladysmith. Born Loretta Elizabeth VanderLoop on June 5, 1918, she was the third of 13 children raised on a farm east of Ladysmith. She graduated as valedictorian from Ladysmith High School in 1937 and earned degrees from River Falls State Teachers College, Rusk County Normal School, Saint Francis School of Nursing, and the College of Saint Scholastica. Entering the Servants of Mary in 1941, she professed final vows in 1948 and taught in Wisconsin and West Virginia. She served on the leadership team of her order for 13 years and held nursing roles at Addolorata Villa and Saint Mary’s Kewaunee Area Memorial Hospital, where she was instrumental in its opening. After retiring from healthcare in 1985, she focused on peace and justice work, founding the Flambeau Valley Peace Coalition and serving various social justice organizations. She traveled to El Salvador to provide aid and observe elections. In 1996, a villa in her honor was named after her in Minocqua, recognizing her leadership and humanitarian efforts.