Sister Annette Herr, CSA
Sister
Annette Herr, CSA, formerly Sister Mary Michael, died peacefully June 28, 2019,
at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, WI.
Annette
was born in Sheboygan, WI, on January 2, 1930, to George Herr and Amalia Rammer
Herr. She had two siblings, a brother
Richard and a sister Rosemary.
Annette
attended North High School in Sheboygan for two years. She entered St. Agnes Convent in 1945,
continued her studies, and graduated from St. Agnes High School, Fond du Lac. She made her first profession of vows in the
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes on August 15, 1949, as Sister Mary
Michael. Sister was initially a student
at Marian College of Fond du Lac; she later enrolled at St. Louis College of
Pharmacy in St. Louis, MO, and received a BS in Pharmacy. She regularly updated her professional
knowledge through classes and conferences related to pharmacy. In 1972 she earned her MA in Theology from
St. Mary University, San Antonio, TX.
Sister
Annette ministered first as an elementary teacher at St. Mary’s School, Ellis,
KS, and at St. Patrick’s School, Hudson, WI.
Her interest in medicine and healthcare led her to help part-time at St.
Agnes Hospital pharmacy for several years while attending summer school at
Marian College and, ultimately, to complete her bachelor’s degree in
pharmacy. Her ministry as a pharmacist
continued for 42 years in hospitals in Fond du Lac, WI; Hays, KS; San Antonio,
TX; and Milwaukee, WI. Sister Annette
was an active member in professional societies and was elected to several leadership
positions by her peers in those organizations.
In
San Antonio, Sister Annette served not only as a staff pharmacist and faculty
practitioner in a teaching hospital, but also as a mentor sharing values and
skills with less-experienced pharmacists at a County facility dedicated to care
of impoverished clients. In addition to her professional engagement, she also shared
her faith and gifts through volunteering as a parish catechist and Eucharistic
minister for years at St. Joseph Parish, Hays, KS; St. Paul Parish, San
Antonio, TX; and St. Florian Parish, Milwaukee, WI.
Preceding
Sister Annette in death are her parents George Herr and Amalia Rammer Herr and
her brother Richard Herr. Sister Annette
is survived by her sister Rosemary Thomas, nieces and nephews, and the Sisters
of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.
Cremation
has taken place. A Prayer Service will
be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in Nazareth Court and Center
Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI.
A
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 8, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at St.
Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI. Fr.
Ken Smits, Capuchin, will be the presider. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs
Cemetery.
Memorials
can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Mission Advancement Office, 320
County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.
The
Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and
Center/St. Francis Home and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Annette in
her last years.
Zacherl
Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.