Sister Agnes Siebenaler, also known as Sister Mary Herbet Siebenaler, was a native of Blakeslee, Ohio, the daughter of Herbert and Clara (Nye) Siebenaler. Both parents preceded her in death, as also her sister, Margaret and four brothers, Albert, Vincent, Cyril, and Lawrence. Surviving are her sisters, Eleanore (Siebenaler) Duffley and Sister Elizabeth Jean, her sister in our Community – also many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grandnieces and
nephews.

Agnes was born on a stormy Friday afternoon, July 10th, 1922 at the homeplace, situated on an 160 acre farm, two miles east of Blakeslee. The storm was so intense that ever afterwards, Agnes was called the “storm baby” and more times than not, there was a storm or a heavy rainfall on all important events in her life. (What’s the weather today?)

Sister attended St. Joseph Elementary School at Blakeslee for 8 years and was taught by the Tiffin Franciscans. Sisters Alphonse and Henrietta were major influences in her life in becoming a Franciscan Sister. Her high school was taken at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Tiffin.

Agnes entered St. Francis Convent in her Junior year on January 5th, 1939 (when she told her brothers she was going to enter the Convent – they said, “We will give you six weeks to stay”!!!) Evidently Sister stayed longer than that! She received the Habit on Sunday, July 16, 1939 and was given the name of Sister Mary Herbert (her father’s name which she used until 1970). Her First Vows were taken on August 12, 1941 and Final Vows on August 12, 1944. Sister celebrated her 50th Jubilee in 1989, her 60th in 1999 and her 70th in 2009, and now her going home on October 15, 2009.

Sister always wanted to be a teacher (she took her mother’s place as she had wanted to be a teacher, but raised a family of 8 instead). Sister Agnes received her Bachelor of Arts, “Magna Cum Laude,” from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois and her Master’s of Education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She took post graduate courses at the University of Dayton. In the Education Ministry, Sister spent 37 years (1943-1970) teaching in the
parochial schools of St. Bernard, New Washington; St. Louis, Custar; St. Mary, Millersville; Our Lady of Consolation, Carey; and Holy Trinity, Bucyrus. She opened the school of St. Bonifas at Oak Harbor and was principal there for five years.

Sister Agnes also taught students at Reed, New Cleveland, Miller City, and Landeck. After leaving the teaching field Agnes served as a Consultant in the Toledo Diocesan School Office from 1971-1979.

Sister felt she needed to change her Ministry and so entered Parish ministry, serving as Pastoral Associate at the sister parishes of St. Mary, Kirby, and St. Peter’s, Upper Sandusky. At St. Mary, Marion, she also served as Director of Religious Education and coordinated the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children.

Agnes’ active ministry was brought to a sudden close when she was diagnosed with colon cancer and returned to the Motherhouse in April 2001. After her recovery, she returned to “volunteer ministries” at Mercy Hospital, Director of RCIA/RCIC for the sister parishes of St. Patrick’s, Bascom, and St. Andrew’s, Liberty. She represented the Community in the Church Women United of Seneca County and on the League of Women Voters of Tiffin. But her greatest delight was to be the
Director of our Museum, St. Lawrence Museum, and take visitors through to appreciate the history of our Community.

Sister’s life can be summarized in this poem “The Locket,” written by a friend during her Sabbatical at the Manna House of Prayer:

Agnes found a locket in the sand,
as she walked the ocean’s shore.
The locket held two pictures
and plainly she could see - - -
it showed her what she could become
and what she was before.
On the left and on the right,
the pictures were of her.
The left one showed her quite distraught
Anxiety showed in her face –
at the leavings that were happening,
and the changes taking place.
The right pictures her quite content
After learning how to treat
The changes and transitions
That in life she was to meet.

As this is being read, Agnes is in the midst of the greatest transition and change she has ever experienced. She is moving from earth to Heaven, from time into Eternity, and from body to Spirit-world. Pray for Agnes.