Wilhelmi, Mary Marcia Sister 1921-2011

WILHELMI, BLOCK

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2012 at 19:47:02

Sr. Mary Marcia Wilhelmi, RSM

Date of Death
Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Le Mars

Sister Mary Marcia Wilhelmi, RSM, of Farmington Hills, MI, formerly of Le Mars, died peacefully on Wednesday August 24, 2011 at McAuley Center in Farmington Hills. She was 89 years of age and had been a Sister of Mercy for 72 years.

Born to Frank and Mary (Block) Wilhelmi on October 21, 1921 in Seney, Iowa, Sister Marcia grew up in a farming community where she attended the Struble, Iowa, public schools. In May of 1939, she graduated from St. John High School, in Independence, Iowa, and joined the Sisters of Mercy in Dubuque in September. Personal and professional preparation preceded her perpetual vows as a community member on August 16, 1945 at Sisters of Mercy Provincialate in Detroit, MI.

Funeral arrangements included a welcoming service held on Thursday, August 25, at 3:00 p.m. and a scripture/remembrance prayer at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Resurrection was at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 26, 2011. All services were at McAuley Center, 28750 Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills. Graveside Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday September 7, 2011 at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, with Reverend Kevin Richter officiating. Local arrangements are with the Carlsen-Feuerstein Funeral Home of Le Mars.

Sister Marcia served in the healthcare ministry from 1942 until her retirement in 2006. She experienced the hospitals’ change from having a sister as hospital administrator and a sister supervisor on each nursing unit to having fewer or no sisters working in the hospital. Her early assignments were as a supervisor of medical nursing and of obstetrical nursing at Mercy Hospitals in Sioux City, Fort Dodge and Dubuque, Iowa, and at Leila Hospital in Battle Creek, MI. In 1960, she studied at the University of Michigan and earned a masters degree in hospital administration. She received some very practical experience as an assistant administrator at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids , MI and was then assigned to be administrator of Mercy hospitals in Algona, and Waverly, Iowa, Manistee, MI, and Dyer, IN.

The remainder of her many years in healthcare was at North Iowa Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, IA. There she served as assistant administrator with special responsibility for nursing services and later as administrative assistant and volunteer. In the fall of 2006, she moved from Mason City to Le Mars to be closer to her family. In January 2007, however, she suffered a debilitating stroke after which she required nursing care. On February 14, 2007 she moved to McAuley Center, Farmington Hills, a retirement home for Sisters of Mercy.

Sister Marcia is fondly remembered for her devotion to the ministry of healthcare. Throughout her many faceted assignments as a nurse, an administrator and volunteer she maintained a focus on patient needs. She was a dedicated woman and earned the respect of nurses, physicians and colleagues by her professional knowledge and by her cheerful, gracious manner. Sisters who served with her commented on her loving, generous spirit and her expertise as a cook. She could provide a small banquet with seeming ease and enjoyed doing it. She loved gardening and sharing the results of her labors. She embraced the many changes in religious life after Vatican II and was pleased when Sisters could select their own clothing.

She is survived by her brother Frank Wilhelmi of Fort Mohave, AZ, and her sisters, Dolores Grady of Fort Mohave, AZ, Marian Bobzien of Le Mars, IA, Patricia Blum of Owatonna, MN, Dorothy Peterson of Hawarden, IA, and Rosella Wilhelmi of Carmichael, CA. She is also mourned by many nieces, nephews, friends and the Sisters of Mercy.

Carlsen Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa