Obituary of Sister Leona Thielen

Sister Leona Thielen, Sister of Charity of St. Louis, died peacefully at St. John’s Senior Care Home, Calgary, on the 75th anniversary of her religious profession. Sister Leona was born in New Munich, Minnesota on July 18, 1911. When she was still an infant her family settled on a farm near Ellerston AB. She entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis in 1930 and made her religious profession on February 15, 1933. Sister Leona (Sr. Mary Catherine) served the community and many student boarders as a homemaker in Swift Current, SK, Medicine Hat, AB and forty-two years in Moose Jaw, SK. The last seven years of her retirement were spent in Calgary. She spent many hours during her retirement creating an amazing variety of crafts for various charitable organizations as her contribution to their fund raising efforts. Sister Leona’s Sisters, family and caregivers especially appreciated her quiet wit, her pleasure in joining senior friends in social activities and her example of how to “grow old gracefully”. Her deep faith was evidenced by her courage as she lost her vision and was no longer able to engage in many activities she enjoyed. Sister Leona will be lovingly remembered by the members of her religious community, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Gertrude & Matthias, six brothers and seven sisters. The Sisters of Charity of St. Louis extend their thanks to the staff at St. John’s Senior Care Home for the kind and gentle care they gave to Sr. Leona during her illness. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) today, February 21, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (640 – 19th Avenue N.W.) on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Sophia House P.O. Box 22119 Regina SK S4S 7G7. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Sr Leona Thielen, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.