Sister Agnes Marie Spexarth's Obituary
In memory, Sister Agnes Marie Spexarth. Our dear Sister Agnes Marie Spexarth, age 96, died at the SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh on January 10, 2016. Sister was born on March 25, 1920 a daughter of the late Bernard and Catherine (Doffing) Spexarth and given the name Agnes Marie. She was one of eleven children and grew up in Colwich, Kansas where she helped on the family farm. Agnes Marie joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on September 15, 1944. She entered the Novitiate on August 12, 1945 and was given the name Mary Annunciata. on August 12, 1947 she professed First Vows, and on August 12, 1952 she professed Final Vows, both in Milwaukee, WI. Later on Sister took back her baptismal name. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1972; her Golden Jubilee in 1994; and her 60th Jubilee in 2007, all in Broken Arrow, OK.
Sister completed high school at Our Mother of Sorrows Convent in Milwaukee, WI; attended St. John’s Hospital of Nursing in Tulsa, OK; obtained a B.S. in Nursing at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI; attended St. Louis University for RN Administrative Courses. Later on she went to Creighton University to earn her credentials for Pastoral Care in Omaha, NE. Sister Agnes Marie served in various health care capacities; in Obstetrics, Nursing Supervisor, Administration, and Pastoral Care. She was stationed in Tulsa, OK; Wichita, KS; Stevens Point, WI; Wabasha, MN; and Broken Arrow, OK.
Sister Agnes Marie loved to tell the event that took place at St. Ann Hospital, Truth or Consequences Hospital, MN which was operated by the SSM’s. Sister was sent there to relieve a Sister who made retreat. One night news arrived that the great golf celebrity Lee Trevino was coming in for surgery. A surgeon was flown in from Albuquerque, MN. Sister had the privilege of taking care of him. She said they had to empty one room just to put all of the flowers that arrived for Mr. Trevino.
Sister retired from active ministry in 1996 moving to Our Lady of Sorrow Convent, Broken Arrow, and Okla. Later in January 2010 she moved to the sister’s retirement home at SSM Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh, WI. Sister Agnes Marie always liked to be involved and to know about whatever was happening in the world; within healthcare; with her family and in religious community. She had many hobbies such as making rosaries; she stopped counting after crocheting 400 dollies. Sister Agnes Marie enjoyed nature, spending time planting tulips in her flower garden and watching them grow. Spring brought her much happiness to watch nature come alive. She had a cheerful and positive attitude. She loved and cared about people. Her presence in the Chapel praying her rosary and other prayers has been a great inspiration to all who lived with her. Even though Sister Agnes Marie retired, she never retired from life. She kept very active in all the ways she could. Due to diminishing eye sight a sister would read pertinent information from the Wichita Diocesan Catholic Advance paper and world events. She spent hours praying for those in need. Sister will be greatly missed by her family members, her religious sisters and many friends.
Homecoming for Sister Agnes Marie will be on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at the SSM Franciscan Courts, 815 S. Westhaven Dr. in Oshkosh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the SSM Franciscan Courts Chapel on Thursday, January 14, at 10:30 a.m. with Father William Hower as celebrant. Committal services will follow in Riverside Catholic Cemetery, Oshkosh, WI. Arrangements were entrusted to the:
Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home
Oshkosh, WI
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