Sister Mary Louise Pfannenstiel, CSA, formerly known as Sister Theodore,
died unexpectedly and peacefully February 1, 2022, at St. Agnes
Hospital, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Mary Louise was born in Hays, Kansas, on September 20, 1937, the
daughter of Theodore L. Pfannenstiel and Basilia Wittman Pfannenstiel.
Shortly after her birth, her parents moved with Mary Louise to a family
farm in Plainville, Kansas, where she spent her childhood. Her mother
died when she was ten years old, leaving Mary Louise to be raised by her
father, her grandmother, and her aunts. In September of 1951, Mary
Louise entered St. Agnes Convent in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and attended
St. Agnes High School. She made her profession of vows in the
Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Theodore on August 15,
1956.
Sister Mary Louise received a BS in Elementary Education from Marian
College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, an MS in Elementary Education from St.
Francis College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and a Certificate in Library
Science from Marian College of Fond du Lac. An avid learner and lover of
books, she also earned several additional credits throughout her years
in active ministry in religious studies, children’s literature, the
teaching of reading, and building school libraries. From 1958 —1972,
she was a primary grade teacher at St. Florian School, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; St. John the Baptist School, New Haven, Indiana; St. Joseph
School, Decatur, Indiana. Beginning In 1972, she served as a learning
center coordinator and librarian at St. Nicholas School, Evanston,
Illinois; Brother Dutton School, Beloit, Wisconsin; and Sacred Heart
School, Colby, Kansas. Sister Mary Louise returned to her birthplace,
Hays, KS, in 1989 to care for her father and to volunteer as a primary
teacher aide, library assistant, childcare provider, and foster
grandparent at St. Joseph School in Hays, now known as Holy Family
Elementary School. After her father’s death in 1998, she remained in
Hays to continue her volunteer service until joining the community of
CSA sisters at Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du Lac in October 2013.
Sister Mary Louise will be remembered for her creative efforts to
share with children her love for reading and literature. While deeply
proud of her Kansas roots, she loved to travel and visit historical
sites across the country often riding for days on a bus to reach her
destination. Gifted with a brilliant mind, an inquisitive spirit, and a
heart for the poor, she was unwavering in her determination to remain
actively engaged in the life and mission of her CSA community even as
her increasing physical limitations made travel and group participation
more difficult. She kept her resolve to live life fully—up to the
moment of her unexpected death.
Sister Mary Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her infant
sister Joan Catherine, her stepmother Pauline Leiker Pfannenstiel, and
her aunts Sister Mary Bridget Wittman, CSA, and Sister Audrey
Pfannenstiel, CSA.
She is survived by her aunt, Mildred Walters; her cousins; and the
Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022, from 9
–11:00 a.m. and from 12:00 -1:30 p.m. at Nazareth Court and Center, 375
Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A Prayer Service will be held
at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Center Chapel. Please check in for the
Visitation and Prayer Service at the 375 Gillett Street entrance only.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Louise will be offered on
Thursday, February 10, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel,
33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father Larry Abler,
Capuchin, presiding. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery,
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Memorials may be directed to the CSA 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 and St. Agnes Hospital for their care of
Sister Mary Louise.
Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.