Sister Adler

Fond du Lac/ Waunakee- Sister Virginia Adler, 78, CSA, formerly Sister Helen Marie, died peacefully at Nazareth Center November 8, 2014.

Virginia was born in Waunakee, Wisconsin on July 20, 1936 to Herbert Adler and Loretta Kessenich. Her family included three girls and two boys. She made her profession of vows as Sister Helen Marie on August 15, 1957, in Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes. She received a BS in Elementary Education from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a MS in Elementary Education from St. Francis College, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and an MA in Religious Studies from Mundelein College, Chicago, Illinois. Sister was an elementary teacher for 15 years in Kansas, Indiana, and Illinois. She was a Religious Education Director for 13 years in Indiana and Illinois. She studied at the Institute of Religious Formation in St. Louis, MO, while being a part-time Director of Initial Formation for the Sisters of St. Agnes; she also served as Director of CSA Associates. For two years she directed the Christian Initiation program at St. Mary's Parish, Fond du Lac. She treasured her 14 years in religious education and parish ministry at St. Joseph Indian Mission in Laguna, New Mexico. She served as a Local Coordinator for the retired sisters at Nazareth Court and Center for two years and later continued to volunteer there with the Sisters as needed.

Sister Virginia was preceded in death by her parents Herbert Adler and Loretta ( Kessenich) Adler. Sister is survived by her sisters Joan (Jack) Stewart and Barb Adler, and her brothers Jim (Marlene) Adler and Bill (Helen) Adler, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Burial was at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery on Nov. 8, 2014. A Prayer Service and Mass were held at Nazareth Court and Center, Fond du Lac, WI. Nov. 12, 2014.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (old) 209 South Street, Waunakee, WI. Saturday May 16, 2015 at 11:00am.
There will be a light lunch served after the service in the school cafeteria.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 HWY Q
Waunakee, WI. 53597