Sister Mary Anselma Betzen, 1886-1965

BETZEN

Posted By: Mary Ellen SIcard (email)
Date: 12/10/2011 at 18:31:33

ESTHERVILLE - Sister Mary Anselma, S.S.M., 78, one of the pioneer Sisters of the Holy Family Hospital, died yesterday [April 21, 1965] at 5:30 p.m. at the Hospital. She had been in failing health for the past three weeks.

Sister Mary Anselma, S.S.M., was born July 3, 1886, in St. Marks, Kan. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew Betzen. Sister Mary Anselma received her education in Wisconsin, and she was a register pharmacist and nurse in three states, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Iowa.

Sister Mary Anselma was one of the pioneer Sisters of Holy Family Hospital, coming to Estherville on March 15, 1944. She had lived and worked her at the hospital in the capacity as labortory technician and pharmacist for the past 10 years.

She entered the Community of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother on Dec. 22, 1903, in Marshfield, Wis. In 1964 she celebrated her Diamond Jubilee for being a member of the community for 65 years.

Survivors include four sisters; Sister M. Bartholomea, S.S.M., of Barbados, British West Indies, one-time the Sister Superior at Holy Family Hospital, Sister M. Domitilla, S.S.M., member of the General Council in Rome, Italy, Mrs. Mary Gunzelman of Goddard, Kan., and Mrs. Helen Siggs of Witchita, Kan.; and two brothers, Peter Betzen, a resident of Holy Family Hospital, and William Betzen of Hereford, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Patrick's Church with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Duhigg officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Chapel Room of Holy Family Hospital until time of service. Friends are asked to omit flowers. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA April 22, 1965)