Sr. Beverly Eichler
Sister Beverly (Owen) Eichler was born on the family farm in Varina, Iowa, the oldest of two daughters. Growing up on the farm with her sister Lucy was a happy time, and their Catholic faith was the backbone of the family. She attended vacation religion school until the fourth grade when she began attending Sacred Heart School, in Pocahontas, Iowa, taught by Dubuque Franciscans. In 5th grade she told her mom she would be a sister if she could be just like her favorite Sister, Sr. Catherine (Venard) Hickey, who had been a classmate of her mother’s in school. Following graduation she entered Mount St. Francis. Sister taught elementary grades in Iowa at Alton, St. Mary’s, Waterloo, and Oyens, in Chicago, and in Eugene, Ore., and she taught learning support for special needs students at St. Edward’s, Waterloo. Sister’s last 15 years of ministry were spent as educator and then administrator at St. Patrick’s School, Charlotte, N.C. She now resides at Clare House. “Jubilee is a wonderful time to reflect on how good God has been to me, the blessings I have received during my 70 years of service.”
Sr. Angeline Freking
Sister Angeline “Angie” Freking was born September 25, 1932, the third of six children, born to Clem and Edna Freking in Hospers, Iowa. She attended St. Anthony’s Grade School in Hospers, St. Mary’s High School in Alton, and Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, after which she entered Mount St. Francis Convent in Dubuque. Most of her food service ministry has been in Dubuque, where she ministered at Immaculate Conception Academy, Mount St. Bernard Seminary, St. Francis Home, Mary of the Angels Home, Sacred Heart Convent, Ecumenical Tower, Manor Care Nursing Home, St. Dominic Villa, Marian Hall Nursing Home, Mount St. Francis, and Villa Raphael where she prepared meals for the retired priests. In addition to Dubuque, she ministered at Holy Cross, Odebolt and Briar Cliff College. In retirement Angie enjoys nature and still loves to bake, especially pies. Sister Angie says: “I am grateful to God and to friends who walked with me on this journey of 70 years as a Franciscan Sister.”
Sr. Edith Gottsacker
A native of Wisconsin, Sister Edith Gottsacker, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roman J. Gottsacker. She grew up in Sheboygan, Wis., with two sisters and a brother. Edith received her bachelor of arts degree at Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, Iowa, her master of arts degree in history from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and a Ph.D. from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Edith taught at Immaculate Conception Academy and Wahlert High School in Dubuque; St. Paul’s High School, Worthington, Iowa; and St. Johns High School, Bancroft, Iowa. From 1963-2002, she served as a professor of history at Briar Cliff College. From 1968 until her retirement, she was the chair of the history/political science department. During her career, Edith received a Fulbright Fellowship to study French history at the University of Paris; the Burlington Northern Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching; and The Presidential Distinguished Leadership Award. After her retirement from Briar Cliff University, sister spent the following years volunteering and caregiving in Arizona, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In 2018, Sister Edith returned to Clare House where she enjoys reading, visiting, and walking—which all help her to continue to grow in her spiritual life. “My 70 years in community have given me a very rich and fulfilling life which have brought me even closer to the last years of a good life and, for this, I am truly grateful,” said Sister Edith.
Sr. Rita Green
Sister Rita (Christopher) Green was born on a farm near Cascade, Iowa, and grew up happily with her parents, Chris and Dorothy Green, her sister, Marie, and brother, Jerome. She attended grades one through 12 at St. Mary’s in Cascade, where she was taught by Dubuque Franciscans. Shortly after graduation, she entered the Dubuque Franciscans and joined 39 other young women who became her classmates. Sister ministered as teacher or principal in Midlothian and Niles in Illinois, and in Iowa at St. Mary’s, Waterloo; St. Mary’s, Dubuque; and for 17 years at Maquoketa. The Franciscan Associates in Maquoketa have been an important part of her life. “As we approach our 70th Jubilee, it’s with a heart filled with gratitude for the years I’ve spent as a Franciscan Sister on mission and in retirement. I have loved being a Franciscan Sister for these many years, and have grown to know our Creator God, our Lord Jesus, and His Spirit who motivates my life,” said Sister Rita.
Sr. Marie Therese Kalb
Sister Marie Therese Kalb was born in Dubuque, the youngest of eight children and the only girl. Four of her brothers married and raised families and three brothers became priests. She was educated by Dubuque Franciscans at St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from the Immaculate Conception Academy before entering Mount St. Francis. One of her favorite stories was of her father’s pre-convent gift after high school graduation – a chartreuse Ford convertible. Her early ministries in the community included teaching music in Iowa schools in Monticello, Worthington, and Wahlert High School. She served the Franciscan congregation as liturgist, in formation and vocation work, and in eight years of congregational leadership. Sister was a founding member of Shalom Spirituality Center and served as its Director for 14 years. She initiated the Franciscan Common Venture volunteer program, served in the Archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Planning, assisted with initiating the Lay Formation Program. Sharing her love of music was a constant in her life accompanying on the violin or keyboard. Sister Marie Therese lives at Mount St. Francis Center. She says: “Jubilee means gratitude to God, our Franciscan community, family and friends, and the many people whose lives have enriched mine. It is a new beginning, knowing God is with us still”.
Sr. Mary Klisart
Sister Mary (Gustave) Klisart, was born to Catherine (Kass) and Gustave Klisart Ossian, Iowa. After graduating from high school, Mary worked as a telephone operator before joining the Franciscan community in 1951. Sister Mary served as a teacher at Holy Ghost School, Dubuque; St Mary’s, New Hampton, Iowa; Midlothian, Ill.; All Saints School, Portland, Ore.; St Timothy’s School, Minneapolis; and St. Peter and Paul School, Petersburg, Iowa. She has served as principal at Mary’s, Manchester, Iowa, Sacred Heart School, Sioux City, Iowa; and DeSales School, Ossian. She ministered as a pastoral associate at St. Athanasius Parish, Jesup, Iowa; St. Mary’s, Manchester; and St. Patrick’s, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “My life has been very interesting and filled with blessings. I was enriched by opportunities to travel to various parts of the U.S. as a volunteer on projects that assisted others.” said Sister Mary.
Sr. Mildred Nachtman
Sister Mildred (Eloise) Nachtman was born in Worthington, Iowa, the fourth of nine children. She grew up on a farm, helping with the farm chores, and tending the garden. Mildred attended several rural schools. Her junior and senior year she attended the Immaculate Conception Academy in Dubuque. Following graduation, she entered Mount St. Francis where her sister Loretta and aunt Ethel were already members. Sister Mildred taught for 49 years in the elementary schools in Midlothian, Illinois, Crescent City, CA, and in Iowa at Remsen, Riverside in Sioux City, Pocahontas and Luxemburg where she spent 20 years. In addition to classroom teaching she assisted in religious education programs and sacramental preparation. Sister is now retired at Mount St. Francis/Clare House where she continues her favorite pastimes of embroidery and reading. Sister said, “This jubilee year is a great time for me for counting my blessings.”
Sr. Dorothy Stoll
Sister Dorothy (Simon) Stoll is the seventh of 11 children born to Simon and Anastasia Schiller Stoll. Born on the family farm near Hospers, Iowa, she spent a happy and busy childhood helping with house and farm work. She liked playing with her brothers and sisters. She attended St. Anthony Grade School in Hospers and St. Mary’s High School, Alton, Iowa. Sister Dorothy entered Mount St. Francis in 1951 and was received in 1952. Sister taught grades 1-4 (and sometimes evening CCD classes) in Iowa at Dyersville, Kingsley, Earlville, Luxemburg, Sacred Heart, and Holy Ghost in Dubuque, and in Portland, Oregon. She served as Director of Religious Education at St. Mary’s, Waterloo. She is proud of the 42 years she spent in Catholic education. Returning to Dubuque in 1997 she served as a dietary aide at Holy Family Hall Infirmary until her retirement. She resides at Mount St. Francis Center. “Jubilee is a milestone—a festive time to remember with gratitude my caring family friends and community. With jubilation I remember my past and celebrate the gift of the present, and vision how God calls me into the future. With a heart full of joy and thanksgiving, I celebrate Jubilee with my Franciscan Community,” said Sister Dorothy.
Sr. Clara Streng
Sister Clara (Natalie) grew up in Cascade, the seventh of nine children, was educated at St. Mary’s School, Cascade. After graduation, she entered Mount St. Francis joining her two sisters, Denise and Doris. Sister Clara served as a teacher and/or principal in the Iowa schools of Roseville, St. Catherine/St. Donatus and Dubuque/St. Mary’s, and in Illinois at Melrose Park. After serving in Pastoral Ministry for two years in Cherokee, Sister Clara began 23 years of ministry on three native American Reservations. As the native Americans were trained to take over the ministry, Sister Clara moved to Mission, South Dakota and served as pastoral minister with the Lakota Sioux people on the Rosebud Reservation. She also ministered among the Yacqui in Tucson, Arizona and the Tohono O’odham in Pisinemo bordering Mexico. Sister said the main goal was to empower adults to be able to minister in their own home village. Sister Clara resides at Mount St. Francis/Clare House. She says, “This is a time for gratitude, memories and celebration for God’s call.”
