Recent Deaths

Sister Mary Bernice VanderLoop
(Sister Mary Baptista)
1920–2011

Sister Mary Bernice VanderLoop, 91, died on Sept. 14, 2011, at Rusk County Memorial Nursing Home in Ladysmith. She was born in Ladysmith on Jan. 28, 1920, to George and Alice (Reynders) VanderLoop, the fourth of 13 children. She attended rural elementary schools and Ladysmith High School. She obtained a teaching certificate from Rusk County Normal School and taught in rural elementary schools for three years. She enlisted in the army during World War II and rose to the rank of master sergeant. While enlisted she worked for a time in a top secret job at the Pentagon. In 1947 she entered the Servants of Mary, following in the footsteps of her sister Loretta (Sister Mary John). She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, and a master’s in education from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She ministered for 20 years as a teacher and principal in elementary schools in Minnesota, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. She taught in and chaired the education department at Mount Senario College, Ladysmith. In 1978 she was appointed superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Superior. Prior to that, the superintendent had always been a priest. She served two consecutive three-year terms as President of the Servants of Mary (1980–1986). She retired to the motherhouse in Ladysmith, where she gave generously of her time and talents to Servite Center for Life.

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