Sister Mary Francis Schwankl

Sister Mary Francis Schwankl SSCK, 99, Edgeley, ND, died Thursday, October 29, 2009 at her home at Manor St. Joseph, Edgeley, ND

Leona Theresa Schwankl was born December 9, 1909 in Pierz, MN, the daughter of Francis Xavier and Mary K. (Bolster) Schwankl. She was baptized by Father Stiegler in St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Dr. Sequin and Theresa Stumpf as her Godparents. On May 17, 1916, she moved with her family to Edgeley, ND where her father operated the City Meat Market. She began her education at Edgeley Golden Glen School and graduated from Edgeley High School on June 7, 1928. She continued her education at the State Normal and Industrial College in Ellendale, ND, graduating in August of 1932. She received awards as Class Poet, Short Story Writer and Captain of the baseball team that won the pennant. She taught in the public school system for ten years and then entered the Congregation of Sister-Servants of Christ the King on December 8, 1940. She received her Profession Cross and made First Vows on May 18, 1943. She worked at Bethany Maternity Home operated by the Sisters under Dr. Victor Fergusson and at the Manor St. Joseph, a nursing home operated by the Order. Simultaneously, she was Principal of the Transfiguration School of Religion. She influenced the building of the Catechetical Center with modern classrooms and a library.

In 1956, she went to Milwaukee, WI where she attended nursing school and received the honor of Class Valedictorian. She then furthered her medical education by attending St. Agnes's School of X-Ray in Fond du Lac, WI and became a Registered American X-Ray Technician. In the meantime, the Sisters had acquired a fifty bed nursing home in Niagara, WI and Sister Mary Francis was transferred there to be administrator in November of 1964. She remained there for 22 years. She served two years on the Planning Committee for a new Maryhill Manor of seventy-five beds, but she needed a rest so she went to the Motherhouse in Mount Calvary, WI. She was sent to the Manor St. Joseph in Edgeley, ND to help Sister Mary Cecelia who was ill. She remained there permanently. A very capable lay administrator, Tammy Jangula, took over the administration.

Sister Mary Francis is survived by 2 sisters: Alice Brassard and Irene Schwankl, both of St. Paul, MN and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, four brothers and two sisters preceded her into Eternity.

Funeral - 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2009 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND

Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Transfiguration Catholic Church, Edgeley, ND

Visitation - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, November 1, 2009 at the Manor St. Joseph, Edgeley, ND