Sister Carl Loras Pilmaier, BVM
Sister Carl Loras Pilmaier BVM, 97, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Mount Carmel Bluffs, 1160 Carmel Drive, Dubuque. Iowa.
Visitation, the Sharing of Memories and Mass of Christian Burial were on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Burial was in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
Sister Carl Loras was born June 20, 1927, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Carl and Laura (Schmitt) Pilmaier. She entered the BVM congregation Sept. 8, 1946, from St. Augustin, Des Moines, Iowa. She professed first vows on Sept 8, 1946, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1954.
She was an elementary teacher St. Jude in Cedar Rapids; Sacred Heart in Davenport, Iowa; Blessed Sacrament in Chicago; St. Rose in Wilmington, Ill.; St. Augustine in Memphis, Tenn.; St. John in Seattle and Gesu in Milwaukee, where she also served as principal. She also ministered as principal in Nebraska at St. John in Lincoln, St Patrick in McCook, St. John the Baptist in Plattsmouth, and St. Michael in Fairbury. She served as school librarian in St. Pius X in Urbandale, Iowa; and a resident advocate at the Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston, Iowa.
“[Carl Loras] was very much a people person and happiest when she was helping others. She hoped to be remembered as “thoughtful, kind and considerate, peaceful and loving” and as one who “spread joy.” At the time of her 60th Jubilee, Carl Loras wrote to her set, “Only time will tell how much longer each one of us has. All I know is, it’s been a wonderful life filled with many blessings!” (Eulogy.)
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Carl, John (Patricia) and Tom (Mary) Pilmaier; and sisters Mary Anne (Robert) Roby and Therese (Arnold “Arnie”) Janicek. She is survived by nieces, including Sister Linda Roby, BVM, Dubuque, Iowa; nephews; and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 78 years.
Watch Memorial Mass and Sharing of Memories Download Eulogy Download Sharing of Memories
Sister Carl Loras was my second-grade teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Chicago. After a difficult first grade, Sister turned my life around. She was kind, loving and encouraging.
I looked forward to seeing her each day. I became a secondary teacher, and I told my students she was my role model in teaching. I wanted them to know that if I was encouraging,
engaging and respectful to them it was because of her. I connected with Sister through the years, and I always told her how much she meant to me. I am happy that I mailed a Christmas card to her early this year. I’m sure one of the sisters read it to her if she had difficulty reading
it. I am happy she knew how much I loved her.
I know she is at peace, and I will ask her blessings and her intercessions for my prayers.