In Memory of Sister Catherine Wingert

April 24, 1924 – October 1, 2016

Sister Mary Catherine Wingert, 92, daughter of Lawrence and Mary Catherine Wingert, was born Mary Cecelia Wingert on April 24, 1924 in Wesley, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in August of 1943, professed her perpetual vows on May 11, 1949, and celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2004.

She received a BA from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, and an MA from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Her Presentation journey, spanning 66 years, took her to Key West (1946-1951), Farley (1951-1955), Dubuque – St. Columbkille (1955-1965) Mason City, Algona, Storm Lake and Charles City, all in Iowa and St. Dorothy and St. Gerard Majella in Chicago, Illinois. She ministered as a teacher, principal and pastoral minister. She was loved by her fellow teachers, students and their parents as she insisted that every child should experience success.

Sister Catherine enjoyed playing cards, music, visiting with friends and line dancing. Her prayer and community service outlined her day. “Each day I want to put into my prayer something that struck me when I talked with others. Their hardships teach me a great deal, especially not to complain. I have a wonderful life,” she would say with a smile.

Surviving is her brother, Father Gerald Wingert, and her niece, Sister Julia Wingert, PBVM, her many nieces and 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 brothers, Thomas (Thelma), Clare (Hertula), Louis (Helen), Lawrence, and Michael Wingert and her sisters, Jean Marie and Darlene (both in infancy) and Rita (John) Shepard and Eileen (Edward) Johnson.

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