In Memory of Sister René Laubenthal

June 1, 1931 – January 18, 2026

Sister Mary René Laubenthal, PBVM, 94, daughter of Albert and Rose (Dahlhauser), was born June Adel Laubenthal on June 1, 1931, in Emmetsburg, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation on November 21, 1952, and professed her perpetual vows on June 19, 1958.

Sister René earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque, Iowa, and served as an elementary teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Epworth, Mason City, Key West, Charles City, Whittemore, Humboldt, and Algona, all in Iowa; Timber Lake, South Dakota; Oregon and Oak Lawn, Illinois; and St. Paul, Minnesota. She also served as a volunteer parish minister, RCIA team member and as parish recording secretary. She retired to Mount Loretto in 2004 and celebrated her 60^th Jubilee in 2012. In her retirement, Sister René was a volunteer tutor at Presentation Lantern Center and a member of a Presentation associate group. She met each person with warmth, patience and respect, always seeing the good in others. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, music, cards, home decorating and reading and valued prayer and community service. Sister René was a woman of deep faith and unwavering gratitude.

In 2012, Sister René celebrated her 60^th Jubilee. “Reflecting on 60 years of religious life, I am filled with gratitude and joy for the blessings of church, family, sisters and friends that have nurtured me on the journey,” she commented. “As a Sister of the Presentation, I have been blessed to walk in the footsteps of Nano Nagle, teaching and participating in works for peace and justice. I am most grateful for God’s faithful love.”

Surviving are her sister Linda Laubenthal, her brother, Robert (Dorothy), nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 73 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Rosemary Schoch, Joan (Raphael) Montag, Margaret (Raymond) Bunce, Donna (Philip) Kieselbach, and Mary Newhouse, and her brothers, Albert (Libby) and Phillip.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.