Leona Wegener was born September 17, 1928, to Henry and Rose (Rosing) Wegener in Ingleside, Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago. She was one of seven children who grew up on a dairy farm near Volo in northern Illinois. At a young age she learned to help with the varied chores around the farm and said “she especially enjoyed it because she loved to be outdoors.” This love for the “outdoors” continued throughout her life. Even in retirement she could be seen outdoors with her walker planting flowers or pulling weeds. Leona attended St. Peter’s School in Volo, Illinois where the Salvatorian Sisters taught. She attended Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, Illinois and entered the Congregation at the age of 18 on October 11, 1946. She was very familiar with the Sisters of the Divine Savior, (Salvatorians), because three of her mother’s sisters were members of the Community. They were: Sisters Ignatius, Rosemarie and Marguerite Rosing. Sister Marilyn stated in her story: “I guess I got prayed into the community through them.” Leona became a novice on August 12, 1947 and received the name, Sister Marilyn. She pronounced her first vows on August 13, 1948, and final vows on August 13, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sister Marilyn studied at Alverno College in Milwaukee and graduated with a BS in Education, Art & History. She was a life-long learner. She attended innumerable workshops/classes in education, spirituality and personal growth and development. Sister Marilyn taught for 38 years in elementary schools including St. Paul’s in Bloomer, Mother of Good Counsel in Milwaukee, St. Joseph’s in East Bristol, St. Therese, Schofield, and St. Pius X, Wauwatosa, all located in Wisconsin. In 1969, she moved to Tucson, Arizona to live and assist her father who was very arthritic. While in Arizona, she taught at St. John de Nepomoc School. Sister Marilyn also served at Tekakwitha Orphanage in Sisseton, South Dakota. While a teacher, Sister Marilyn frequently spent summers assisting at Salvatorian Heights, an assisted living facility for the elderly Salvatorian sisters. After completing 38 years of teaching, Sister Marilyn worked full time at Salvatorian Heights. This ministry, along with caring for her aging father perhaps, inspired her and prepared her for a ministry as a home health aide to older adults in their homes. She took them shopping, to medical appointments, assisted with housekeeping and various other needs. In an article in the Salvatorian News, Sister Marilyn pointed out “that patience is the number one requirement for her work.” In another article written for her Golden Jubilee, she stated: “I have tried to be compassionate, caring and patient.” During the years that she assisted the elderly in their homes, she also tutored at the Milwaukee Achiever Program. In reviewing Sister Marilyn’s life, it is clear that she was an amazing volunteer, always reaching out to help someone. In March of 2009, Sister Marilyn moved to Salvatorian Sisters Residence where she could receive the assistance she needed due to her arthritic condition. Still wanting to be of assistance, Sister Marilyn volunteered in the laundry at St. Anne’s Nursing home; she frequently visited the residents at St. Anne’s. She also remained an active gardener, caring for many plants in the courtyard garden adjacent to the dining room at Salvatorian Sisters Residence and also caring for multiple house plants! Sister Marilyn had a keen sense of humor throughout her entire life. In 2016, Sister Marilyn was transferred to St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus where she could receive round-the-clock assistance. In September 2019 due to her failing health, Sister Marilyn was placed on Hospice Care. Her family and the sisters gathered, prayed and sang at Sister Marilyn’s bedside; funeral plans were prepared. Lo and behold, she rallied! A humorous story was recently shared. In early December of 2020, an assistant in the Pastoral Care Department at St. Anne’s was in the bedroom shared by Sisters Marilyn and Clara Cáceres. Emily was praying the rosary out loud with Sister Clara. Sister Marilyn was nearby but was not participating. Sister Clara suddenly stopped; she could not remember the rest of the words to the Hail Mary and Sister Marilyn finished the prayer out loud from across the room! In late December, Sister Marilyn tested positive for COVID-19 and was moved to the COVID unit of St. Anne’s, where she received compassionate care from the staff of St. Anne’s until her death on January 5, 2021. She was 92 years of age and professed for 72 years. Sister Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Rose (Rosing) Wegener, brother Leo, who died at birth, Leroy, sisters Rosemary and Agnes, brothers-in-law Alfred, (Rosemary) Heil and Walter (Rita) and sister-in-law, Dorothy (Raymond) Wegener. She is survived by her brother Raymond and sister, Rita Heil, many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews, as well as the Salvatorian family. Private funeral services for Sr. Marilyn will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, at Queen of Apostles Chapel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Father Peter Schuessler, SDS, Presiding. Burial on January 18, 2021, at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
