Sister Mary J. Wipperfurth
Sister Mary Jane Wipperfurth, CSA, formerly Sister Anthony, died peacefully October 10, 2018, at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI.
Mary Jane was born to Anton Wipperfurth and Christine Spahn Wipperfurth on August 30, 1927, in Waunakee, WI. She was one of six children, three girls and three boys.
Mary Jane entered St. Agnes Convent in 1942. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Anthony on August 15, 1946. She ministered for 40 years as a homemaker at missions of the congregation in WI, IN, NY, and IL. All of Sister’s assignments took her to large institutions staffed by CSA, including St. Mary’s Springs Academy, St. Agnes Hospital, Boyle Home for the Aged, and St. Agnes Convent. In those settings, she worked as part of a team of other sisters to provide dietary services not only for the sisters there but also for students, patients and residents of the respective institutions — a demanding challenge which she accepted in a spirit of loving service. She also served for 12 years in the laundry at Nazareth Heights Infirmary, home for the retired sisters.
Sister loved to cook and to keep things looking clean and in order. She enjoyed embroidery and spending time visiting the sick and elderly. While at Nazareth Court and Center, she took special care of the many plants throughout the building. Sister was a gentle, helpful and friendly person. Her lovely smile reflected the serenity and gratitude with which she accepted daily life.
Sister Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents Anton Wipperfurth and Christine Spahn Wipperfurth; her brother Anthony; and her sister Joan Statz. She is survived by her brothers Russell Wipperfurth and Leroy Wipperfurth; her sister Lorraine Schlimgen; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.
Visitation for Sister Mary Jane will be held at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on Monday, October 15, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, October 15, 2018, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father 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 Development 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 and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Mary Jane in her last years. Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.