Obit: Heil, Sister Margaret (1921 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Diedrich, Heil, Look, Ostrowski, Salzmann

----Source: The Record-Review (Abbotsford, WI) 6/02/2017

Heil, Sister Margaret (11 JAN 1921 - 29 MAY 2017)

Sister Margaret Heil, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 96, died on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse. She was in the seventy-seventh year of her religious profession.

Sister Margaret, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Salzmann) Heil, was born on Jan. 11, 1921, on a farm near Marathon. At her baptism, she was given the name Rose Adelhaid. She attended Buchanan Public School for grades 1-3 and then was promoted to grade 5. She transferred to St. Joseph’s School, Marathon, and completed grades 5-10. Each day she helped the sister sacristan in church and the sister’s example fostered Rose’s vocation. She entered St. Rose Convent on Aug. 13, 1935.

Rose was received into the novitiate on Aug. 9, 1938, and was given the name Sister Margaret. She pronounced first vows on Aug. 12, 1940, and made final profession on Aug. 9, 1946.
Entering the field of education, Sister Margaret ministered in elementary and middle grades for 54 years in parochial schools in Iowa (Festina, Milford, Calmar) and Wisconsin (Wausau, Ashland, Superior, Sparta, Prescott) including 14 years in La Crosse (St. James, Holy Cross, St. Joseph Schools), 16 years at Menomonie and seven years at Mosinee. She was also the director of religious education at Mosinee. Sister Margaret served as principal in schools for 37 of those years. She retired at St. Rose Convent in 1994, volunteering as tour guide and secretary. In 2009, she moved to Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse.

Community members, family and friends remember Sister Margaret as a cheerful, affirming person and a loyal community member. She always had a good word for someone. Her many talents were put to good use as she discovered to her delight, when one door closed, she found that the Lord always opened another one. She was an outstanding teacher and principal who attributed her success to weighing all considerations, then making a decision and remaining steadfast. She was well-loved by her teachers, students and their parents. She fostered leadership among her co-workers. In 1980, the Jaycees in Menomonie presented her with the Boss of the Year award. S. Margaret was grateful for all that she experienced. “My life as a religious has been one of beautiful challenges, surprises and growth,” she said.

Sister Margaret is survived by her Franciscan community; two brothers, Conrad (Doris) Heil, Wausau, and Theodore (Geraldine) Heil, Oconomowoc; her sister, Margaret Ostrowski, Hatley; several in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews, including Sister Carolyn Heil, FSPA, and S. Roselyn Heil, FSPA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Erwin, Walter, Alfred, George and Francis, Jr.; and three sisters, Marie Look, Caroline Diedrich and Sister Dorothy (Margaret Clare, FSPA).

Friends called for visitation beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, June 9, in Mary of the Angels Chapel at St. Rose Convent. The Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9, in the chapel. Sharing was at 1 p.m. in St. Rose Gathering Room. Burial followed at 2 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Dickinson Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.