Recent Deaths

Sister Mary Robert Semerau, OSM 1924-2011

Mary Frances Semerau was born on Aug. 4, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., to John and Kathleen Semerau. She had three brothers, Emmanuel, John Jr., and Francis, and three sisters, Veronica, Bernadette, and Kathleen.

She was baptized at St. Gregory Church in Chicago and graduated from St. Gregory grade and high schools. In high school she was captain of the girls basketball team and first saxophonist in the high school band.

Mary credits Servite Father James Keane with planting the seed of her vocation and directing her to Mother Mary Alphonse and the Servite Sisters in Ladysmith. “I was always faithful to prayer, especially to Our Lady of Sorrows,” she said, “and Our Lady took care of me. She sent me to the Servites and I have been grateful ever since” Mary entered the convent in Ladysmith in 1947, became a novice a year later and received the name Sister Mary Robert. She made her first profession of vows on Aug. 16, 1949 and her final profession on Aug. 15, 1955.

Sister Mary Robert earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. and a master’s from DePaul University in Chicago. She also studied at the Notre Dame Instititute of Theology in Virginia and the Graduate Theological Institute in DePere, Wis.

Sister began her junior high teaching career in 1949 at St. Rose of Lima School in St. Paul, Minn. From there she traveled to Carteret, NJ, Illinois, and Ladysmith, Wis., where she also served as principal.

She lists teaching junior high school, especially religion and math, as one of her most satisfying personal achievements. In 1987 she moved to Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Ill. and ministered as an accountant in the finance department.

Sister was an avid roller skater, using school gyms as her skating venue when she couldn’t get outside. When she lived at the Villa, she used the basement halls and large basement meeting room for skating.

She died peacefully in her sleep at Addolorata Villa on February 19, 2011. She was 86.

Father Nick Husain presided at her funeral Mass at Addolorata Villa on February 23 with interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Ill.

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