Sister Frances Loretta Berger, BVM
Sister Frances Loretta Berger, BVM, 95, died June 20, 2014, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9–11 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2014, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a prayer service at 11 a.m. Funeral liturgy will be at 1:30 p.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
She was born July 10, 1918, to Freeman and Clio Downs Berger. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Ignatius Parish, Chicago, on Sept. 8, 1937. She professed first vows on March 19, 1940, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1945.
Sister Frances Loretta was an elementary school teacher in Milwaukee; New Hampton and Mason City, Iowa; Chicago; Los Angeles; and Kansas City, Mo. She served as librarian at Mundelein College and Loyola University, Chicago.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Virginia Walker and Loretta Werle, and brother Donald Berger. She is survived by nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 76 years.
Sister Frances Loretta Berger, BVM
Funeral Welcome
Marian Hall, June 26, 2014
Good afternoon and welcome to the celebration of life of our Sister Frances Loretta Berger.
Mary Frances Berger was born on July, 10, 1918, in LaCrosse, Wis., the first of four children born to Freeman Ralph Berger and Clio Emma Downs. Her father was in the hotel business so the family moved frequently. Mary Frances attended seven different elementary schools, but graduated from Immaculata High School. In her autobiography, Mary Frances recalled, “My freshman teacher was Sister Adelita Healey and she was very good to me, understanding my needs. There would be drives to raise money that I feared and she understood and helped me out so that I had something to offer.”
By the end of her senior year, Mary Frances felt that she was called to religious life, but since it was late in the year she decided to attend Mundelein College. “At the end of my freshman year at Mundelein, I finally told my mother that I was interested in entering the Community. She was very proud and also shocked—she didn’t see me as a holy person . . .”
Mary Frances entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1937, and received the name Frances Loretta upon her reception on March 19, 1938. She professed her first vows on March 19, 1940, and lived 76 years as a BVM. Frances Loretta was an elementary school teacher for 32 years, teaching all grades from kindergarten through eighth grade. She was missioned in Milwaukee; New Hampton and Mason City, Iowa; Chicago; Los Angeles; and Kansas City, Mo.
Frances Loretta had many diverse teaching experiences. After the Second World War, she taught Hungarian refugees at Gesu Elementary School in Milwaukee. She commented, “They were eager to learn. In one year they went from not even knowing the language to becoming honor students. It was challenging to try to meet their needs and interest.” Frances Loretta taught Hispanic students at Assumption in Los Angeles. “They tested us, wanted to see if we liked them, and when we did we were able to work with them and found them great.” Next, Frances Loretta was sent to Annunciation in Kansas City where she taught black students from middle class families. “Those children were also very eager to learn and their parents were eager to have them learn . . . After two years we moved on to St. Aloysius School; those children were from the projects. Most were black also but we went from children eager to learn to those who came to school only when they had pretty clothes, so attendance was irregular and their education suffered.”
The summer before the civil rights march to Selma, Ala., Frances Loretta worked as a census taker in the projects. “Rarely did we find a father in any apartment. It was difficult to go into the buildings . . . just going up the stairwells you smelled the poverty . . . All of this was eye opening for us.” Frances Loretta was next missioned in Mason City where she joined a diocesan project to develop a religious education program for the mentally challenged, both children and adults.
When the Mason City parishes and schools merged, the Presentation Sisters were asked to staff the schools and Frances Loretta was invited to be a librarian at Mundelein College in Chicago. She worked as a librarian at Mundelein and then Loyola University Chicago for 30 years. She became involved with Children’s Reading Round Table, a group of educators, librarians, authors and artists interested in children’s literature and literacy. During her 20-year involvement with the group, she served as president, organized conferences, and gave a workshop.
Frances Loretta moved to Mount Carmel in 2003. Shortly after her arrival, the Motherhouse Library and all the sisters at Mount Carmel began benefiting from her expertise. “I knew that the library needed some help,” she commented, “and I needed to be working with other people. The library turned out well and the satisfaction of the Sisters . . . has been very rewarding for me.”
To quote a friend, Frances Loretta was “a quiet soul, a hard worker and a great lady.” She loved her family and always remembered them on special occasions and cherished spending the holidays with them. She greatly enjoyed walking and good food and she loved sports, especially Notre Dame football. But her passion was reading. When asked how she would like to be remembered, Frances Loretta commented, “As a book person and one who wanted to help others enjoy books . . . And as a candy maker.” Who could forget her fudge?
Frances Loretta relished quality liturgy and prayer and faithfully prayed an inclusive language version of the Liturgy of the Hours. About her prayer life, she shared, “I think of service and kindness to others. I try to make my work a prayer.” Most people experience challenges at some point in their lives; and Frances Loretta was no exception. Yet her hope and strength are clearly reflected in her selection for the first reading from Romans. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared to the glory to be revealed to us.” Let us rejoice with Frances Loretta as she enters eternal life to live in the glorious presence of God.