Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister Rose M. Siegwarth CSC

July 31, 1908 - Feb. 15, 2000

South Bend Tribune 2/17/2000

Sister Rose Mary Siegwarth (Sister Alphonsus Mary) CSC, 91, died on Thursday, Feb. 15, in Saint Mary's Convent, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind. Sister Rose Mary Siegwarth (Sister Alphonsus Mary) was born on July 31, 1908, to the late Leonard and Mary Hoeft Siegwarth in Peoria, Ill. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, on Feb. 8, 1929, from Peoria, Ill., and made her final profession in the Congregation on Aug. 15, 1934.

Sister Rose Mary is survived by her sister, Lorelda "Lolly" Wolf of Streator, Ill.; and by several nieces and nephews in Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.

Sister Rose Mary Siegwarth began her teaching career as Sister Alphonsus Mary in 1931 at Saint Charles School, San Francisco, Calif. She taught in the elementary school until 1938 when she moved to Illinois and taught at Saint Joseph's in Harvard and Saint Patrick's in Danville until 1947. Sister was named principal of Saint Paul's, Valparaiso, Ind., from 1947 until 1954. She was moved to Saint Patrick's, South Bend, then to Our Lady of the Lake, Gary, Ind., was named principal of Notre Dame School in Michigan City, Ind., 1985 to 1961, and taught at Saint Mary's School, Anderson, Ind.

During all these years, Sister pursued her bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's College, 1957, in Elementary Education. Sister Rose Mary taught in the elementary school, Holy Redeemer, Flint Mich., 1965-1969, then moved to the intermediate grades at Saint John's in Peoria, Ill., 1969-1980.

Sister began a parish ministry in Peoria until 1985 when she retired to Our Lady of Holy Cross in South Bend. She moved to Rosary Convent on the campus of Saint Mary's, and resided there and in Saint Mary's Convent, active in Community Services and the Apostolate of Prayer until her death.

Wake service will be held at 7 p.m. today, Feb. 17, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, followed by interment at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, Ind.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.