Sister Emiliana Meissen, OSF, 94, died on Monday, November 13, 2017, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque.

Marie Katherine Meissen was born October 28, 1923 on a farm outside of Lawler, Iowa. She was the first born of Joseph Leo and Elizabeth (Hormisch) Meissen as well as the first grandchild on her mother’s side of the family. She later had 4 siblings, Joseph Jr., Raymond, John “Jack,” and Rose.

Marie began her education in 1929 in a little country school near Lawler, Iowa, but after a few months, the family had to move to North Washington, Iowa. Marie then attended Immaculate Conception School. It was there that she had her first encounter with Franciscan Sisters, other than her aunt, Sister Joel Hormisch and great aunts, Sisters Diomira and Regina Gebel. During her third year in school, the family moved back to Lawler. There, Marie was taught by the Presentation Sisters from third grade until eighth grade. She knew she wanted to become a Franciscan, but the Presentations wanted her to enter their community. Having aunts in the Franciscan community, she would often ask them questions about religious life whenever they were home for a visit. She liked their answers and decided to become a Franciscan.

On August 25, 1941, at the age of 17, Marie entered Mount St. Francis. Greeted by Mother Theodore, Marie stated very boldly that if she could not be a housekeeper, she was going right back home. Mother Theodore laughed and laughed and told Marie that indeed, she could be a housekeeper, adding, “We need them.” It was a year later, on August 12, 1942, that Marie received the name Sister Mary Emiliana at her reception into the community.

Sister Emiliana began her life as a homemaker in 1944 at Sacred Heart in Dubuque, Iowa.

Her years of ministry in Iowa were at St. Edward in Waterloo; St. Mary in Cascade; and Immaculate Conception Academy, Immaculate Conception Convent, and Stonehill Care Center, all in Dubuque; and in Illinois at Corpus Christi. Sister Emiliana retired to Mount St. Francis in 1997 where she kept busy making quilts for the poor, which was her favorite pastime. In 2014 Sister moved to Clare House.

Sister is survived by nieces, nephews, and her Franciscan sisters with whom she shared over 75 years of her life.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents; sister Rose Klepper; brothers Joseph (Virginia) Meissen, Ray (Barbara) Meissen, and John “Jack” (Leona) Meissen.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Francis.