(Oldenburg, IN) – The Sisters of St. Francis will honor the 2026 jubilarians during a July 26 celebration at the motherhouse in Oldenburg. Morning prayer, the Jubilee Mass, festive dinner, and a reception will be special events for the sisters.
Sister Teresa Trick celebrates 80 years as an Oldenburg Franciscan while Sisters Mary Louise Werner, Ruth Mary Forthofer, Edna Martini, Ruthann Boyle, and Francesca Thompson mark 75 years with the community.
Celebrating 70 years of commitment are Sisters Marilyn Chall, Bernice Roell, Linda Bates, and Ruth Marie Kluemper.
Sister Margaret Horney celebrates 60 years and Sister Judy Crooker marks 40 years in community.
Sister Theresa Trick, formerly Sister Bertha Rose, was born in Dayton, Ohio. She entered community on September 8, 1946 and made final vows on August 12, 1952. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1957. She taught twenty years in parish schools in Indiana: St. Michael and St. Christopher in Indianapolis, St. Michael in Brookville, Catholic Central in New Albany, St. Joseph in Princeton, and Holy Family in Richmond. She also taught in parish schools in the Cincinnati Archdiocese and served in a variety of other ministries there. Sister now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Mary Louise Werner, a native of Batesville, entered community September 8,1951 and made final profession August 12,1957. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1961. Sister taught at St. Michael School in Charlestown, St. Gabriel School in Indianapolis, and St. Joseph School in St. Leon. Then she served as cook at the motherhouse and at Scecina Convent, Indianapolis, for 15 years. She also taught in parish schools in Missouri and Ohio. Since 1989 Sister has performed many ministries at the Motherhouse where she now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Ruth Mary Forthofer, formerly Sister Lydia, is a native of Batesville who entered community on September 8,1951 and made final vows on August 12, 1957. She graduated from Marian University in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education, and from Xavier University, Cincinnati, in 1968 with a master’s in education. Sister taught at St. Michael and St. Francis de Sales Schools in Indianapolis. She was principal at Holy Name School and worked as receptionist at the Office of Catholic Education in Indianapolis. From 1975-1985, Sister served at Marian University in the Admission Office and as Director of Student Activities. Sister also ministered in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. In 1995 she moved to the Motherhouse where she ministered in various capacities. She now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Edna Martini, formerly Sister Vera, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She entered community September 8,1951 and made final profession August 12, 1957. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marian University in 1960 and a master’s in education from Marquette University, Milwaukee, in 1970. She taught in parish schools in Missouri and Ohio. She also taught in and directed preschool programs in Missouri. Sister now resides in Saint Clare Health Facility at the motherhouse.
Sister Ruthann Boyle, formerly Sister Brendan, is an Indianapolis native. She joined the Sisters September 8, 1951 and professed final vows on August 12, 1957. Sister received a bachelor’s degree from Marian University in 1960. She taught at Holy Trinity School in Indianapolis and at St. Mary School in New Albany. Sister also taught in Catholic schools in Ohio and Montana. From 1963-2001 Sister Ruthann served as a missionary in Papua New Guinea. Her many ministries included teaching, curriculum advisor, pastoral work, formation work with the Franciscan Sisters of Mary (newly begun indigenous religious community), and diocesan finance officer. From 2002- 2019 Sister was coordinator of the motherhouse sewing room. She now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Francesca Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Indianapolis. She entered community on February 2, 1952, and made final profession on August 12, 1957. Sister graduated from Marian University with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1960; from Xavier University, Cincinnati, with a master’s degree in communications arts in 1963; and from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in speech and theatre in 1972. She taught at a parish school in Ohio and at Immaculate Conception Academy in Oldenburg. From 1967-1968 and from 1972- 1982 Sister was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Marian University. From 1983 – 2005 she served at Fordham University, New York City. Sister is now retired and resides in Saint Clare Health Facility at the motherhouse.
Sister Marilyn Chall, formerly Sister Mary Herman, is a St. Louis, Missouri native. She entered the Oldenburg community on September 8, 1956, and professed final vows on August 12, 1962. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Marian University in 1965. In the Archdiocese she taught at St. Rita School, Indianapolis. She volunteered to serve in the Papua New Guinea mission, was accepted and served there from 1956 to 1994. Her various assignments included teaching students at all levels from elementary in Mendi, at St. Joseph High School in Tari, and Holy Trinity Teacher’s College in Mt. Hagen. She was Diocesan Religious Education Coordinator in Mendi and National Christian Education Coordinator in Port Moresby. After returning to the United States, Sister served as pastoral associate at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Washington, Missouri. She currently is a resident of St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Bernice Roell was born in Harrison, Ohio. She entered community in 1957 and made final vows in 1961. Her advanced education includes a bachelor’s degree in history from Marian University in 1964, and a master’s in theology from Xavier College in Chicago in 1968. She taught in parish schools including Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Mark, Holy Name (Beech Grove), and St. Simon the Apostle in Indianapolis. She worked with high school students who expressed interest in religious life and served as Community Novice Director from 1968 to 1974. She also served as Motherhouse Minister for 28 years. Sister remains active in motherhouse ministry at Oldenburg.
Sister Linda Bates, formerly Sister Claudia, was born in Rushville. She entered community on February 2, 1957 and made final vows on August 12, 1962. She earned a bachelor’s of education degree from Marian University in 1963, a master’s of English from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1969, and a master’s of pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago, in 1986. In Indiana she taught in parish schools, including St. Lawrence, St. Gabriel, St. Christopher, and St. Rita in Indianapolis. She was also principal at St. Christopher and St. Rita. She served as campus minister at Marian University 1995-2004 and as pastoral associate at St. Nicholas in Sunman 2011-2016. She also served as DRE and pastoral associate in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and West Virginia. Sister retired to Oldenburg in 2016 and now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Ruth Marie Kluemper, formerly Sister Margarita, was born in Cincinnati. Her entrance into community was February 2, 1957, and she made final vows on September 12, 1962. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marian University in 1963, a master’s in education from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1969, and a master’s in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago in 1986. As elementary teacher, she taught in Indianapolis at St. Lawrence, then Holy Name (Beech Grove), and St. Mark. Sister also taught at Catholic schools and served as pastoral minister in parishes in Ohio. She now resides in Saint Clare Hall Health Facility.
Sister Margaret Horney, formerly Sister Julia, was born in Cincinnati. She joined the Franciscans September 8, 1966 and made final profession August 11, 1974. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marian University in 1975 and a master’s in business administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1981. She taught at St. Anthony in Morris and St. Michael Schools in Indianapolis before moving into the area of finance. At Marian University she served as assistant treasurer and as director of student financial aid. In 1980 Sister moved to Oldenburg where she served in the office of congregational treasurer for 40 years. She now resides in St. Clare Health Facility.
Sister Judy Crooker is a Cincinnati native. She entered the Franciscans on October 4, 1986 and made final vows on June 10, 1995. Sister earned a bachelor’s degree in education from University of Cincinnati in 1983 and later a master’s degree in Montessori education from Xavier University. After college she taught at St. Veronica School where she met the Oldenburg Franciscans. As a community member she taught at Corryville Catholic and St. Bernadette Schools for 36 years. Sister now resides in Eastgate and serves as a teacher’s aide at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Milford.
(Sisters of St. Francis at Oldenburg press release)
