Sister Kathleen Schmitz

Sister Kathleen Schmitz, CSA, formerly known as Sister David Gerard, died peacefully November 22, 2018, at Nazareth Court and Center Fond du Lac, WI.

Kathleen was born in Brothertown, WI, on August 4, 1936, to Ambrose Schmitz and Esther Andrew Schmitz. The family later moved to Marytown where Kathleen, her two sisters, and a brother attended St. Mary Grade School.

Following her graduation from New Holstein High School in 1955, Kathleen entered St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac. On August 15, 1958, she made first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister David Gerard.

Sister Kathleen ministered as a homemaker for 28 years with the sisters living in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and New York. She often was part of a team of sisters who were responsible for food preparation in the large CSA institutions: St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Nazareth Heights Infirmary, and Boyle Apostolic Center in Fond du Lac; Immaculate Conception, Elmhurst, IL, and Sacred Heart, Yonkers, NY. She also worked in the dietary department at Mary Hill Retirement Home in Milwaukee, WI, for six years. Sister ministered for 14 years in Food Service at The Leo House, New York City, where her baking skill was a welcome addition for sisters and guests alike. When Sister Kathleen retired and returned to Fond du Lac in 2006, she volunteered with Hospice Hope, was a Eucharistic Minister at the hospital, helped at Salvatorian Center in St. Nazianz, and baked occasionally for the Fondy Food Pantry.

Over the years Sister enriched her life through various courses, receiving certificates from Catholic Hospital Association, St. Louis University; Church and Sacraments, Marian College of Fond du Lac; Spiritual Development Program, School of Spirituality, Yonkers; and Ministry with Older Adults, Marymount Manhattan College, New York City.

Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Willard Schmitz.

She is survived by her sisters Mary Alice Schleicher and Elizabeth Karls and by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered.

Visitation for Sister Kathleen Schmitz will be on November 30, 2018, starting at 9:00 a.m. in Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. A prayer service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m., on November 30, 2018, in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Father Ken Smits, Capuchin, will preside. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Kathleen in her last years.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes.