May 23, 1930 – August 11, 2022
Sister Mary Laetare Nieberle, 92 years old, died on the Feast of St. Clare, August 11, 2022, at Ascension Mercy Hospital, Oshkosh, WI, after a short stay.
Sr. Mary Laetare, born on May 23, 1930, in Kaldorf, Bavaria, Germany, was given the name Maria. Her parents were Joseph and Maria Anna (Streller) Nieberle. She was the third of eight daughters: Walburga Schneider, Josefa Schneider, Cacilia Nieberle, Regina Baumann, and four who were Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, Sr. M. Ida Nieberle, Sr. M. Leonilda Nieberle, Sr. M. Nemesia Nieberle, and Sr. M. Laetare Nieberle. Sr. M. Laetare is survived by her sister, Josefa Schneider along with nephews and nieces. When she was nine years old she went to live with her aunt and uncle.
Sister entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Abenberg, Germany, on December 30, 1948 and pronounced first vows on August 12,1951, in Abenberg, Germany receiving the name Sr. M. Lethare. She changed her name on January 23, 1969 to Sr. M. Laetare. Sister celebrated her Silver Jubilee on September 8, 1976, and her Golden Jubilee on September 1, 2001, both in Denville, NJ. She celebrated her 60th Jubilee on September 2011, and her 70th Jubilee on September 15, 2021, both in Oshkosh, WI. She came to the United States on August 19, 1951 and became a United States of American citizen on March 6, 1957.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sr. M. Laetare served in various capacities: Domestic work (1953-1955 – St. Francis Health Resort, Denville, NJ); Cook and Cafeteria Supervisor (1955-1968 – St. Clare Hospital, Deville, NJ); Food Services and Dietary Coordinator (1968-1981 – St. Clare Hospital, Denville, NJ); Nurse Aide (1981-1993 – Our Lady of Sorrows Convent, Denville, NJ); and Pastoral Care (1993-2005 – Franciscan Oaks Health Center, Denville, NJ). In 2005 she retired to St. Clare Convent, Broken Arrow, OK, and in 2010 she moved to SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI. Sister was well known for all the knitted items she produced for the yearly craft sales for funding the missions.
Homecoming was on August 17, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 18, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI with Rev. William Hower officiating. Burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI.
May Sister truly see the beatific vision.
Submitted by Sr. Sherri Marie Kuhn