Sister Armella Hammerschmidt, CSA, 89, a resident of St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, died at the Home on Wednesday, July 5, 2006.
Sister Armella was born on December 17, 1916 in Ellis, Kansas, the third of twelve children of Michael and Anna Sander Hammerschmidt.
Even before Sister Armella entered the convent she worked for four years with the Sisters in the kitchen at St. Anthony's Hospital in Hays, Kansas. It was there, at the age of twenty-five that she decided to join them. On January 28, 1941 she left her home parish of St. Fidelis in Victoria, Kansas and joined the Congregation of Saint Agnes in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, professing her vows on August 15, 1943.
During the first 27 years of ministry Sister served as homemaker for her sisters at the Motherhouse, St. Mary's Springs, St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, all in Fond du Lac. In 1960 Sister moved back to her home state of Kansas to serve as Food Supervisor at St. Thomas Hospital in Colby, Kansas for 13 years. She then served as baker for three years at St. Anthony's Hospital, the hospital where she began working with the Sisters back in 1938. After completing her work in the hospitals in Kansas, Sister resumed her ministry as a homemaker for her sisters in KS, IL, and WI. Throughout her life Sister Armella is remembered for her gentle peace-filled spirit.
Survivors include three brothers, Richard (Bernice) Hammerschmidt of Hays, KS, Elmer (Dorothy) Hammerschmidt of Salina, KS, and Elias (Janet) Hammerschmidt of Spivey, KS; three sisters, Viola Robben of Walker, KS, Helen Mohl of Russell, KS and Irene Pfannenstiel of Lawrence, KS; one sister-in-law, Agnes Hammerschmidt of Hutchinson, KS; many nieces and nephews, relatives, friends and the members of the Congregation of St. Agnes with whom she lived and ministered.
Sister Armella was preceded in death by three brothers, Alvin, Fredolin and Norbert Hammerschmidt and two sisters, Mary Weigel and Silvena Pfaff.
Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:15P.M. on Saturday, July 8, 2006 at St. Francis Home Chapel at 33 Everett St. in Fond du Lac. The Rev. Joseph Wolf O.F.M.Cap. will be the celebrant. Burial will follow the Mass and will be at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery in Fond du Lac.
Visitation: Visitation will be held at Nazareth Court, 375 Gillett Street in Fond du Lac after 9:00AM on Saturday, July 8, 2006, where a prayer service will be held at 1:00P.M.