Sister Marie Felter

The Wheaton Franciscan Sisters invite your prayers for Sister Marie "M. Lawrence" Felter of the Immaculate Conception.

Marie Felter was born at Kelso, Mo., July 23, 1914, one of six children of Eleonora and Aloysius Felter. At age 21 Marie entered the congregation of Franciscan Sisters in St. Louis, where she received her initial formation in religious life. In November 1932 Marie received the habit and the name Sister M. Lawrence.

Following her profession of temporary vows in 1934, Sister Marie was assigned to St. Clara's Orphanage in Denver, Colo. There she spent 27 years as housemother for girls ages 2 to 8. Her skill in sewing provided these children with many beautiful dresses and crocheted hats, her specialty.

Following an interim assignment in Milwaukee and then St. Louis, Sister Marie volunteered for service at the Generalate of our Congregation in Rome. She spent two years there, where among other domestic roles she was chauffeur for the Sisters of the Generalate.

In 1969 Sister Marie returned to the states and began 26 years of ministry at Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. For this ministry she earned a certificate in electroencephalograph technology from St. Louis University, and served as an EEG/EKG technician. In September 1995 Sister Marie retired to the Motherhouse in Wheaton, Ill.

All her years in the Franciscan Congregation were not devoted solely to work. During her time in Europe she was able to visit our Sisters in Holland, Germany and France. Her hobbies of quilting, crocheting and working puzzles gave her untold hours of enjoyment. Her deeply prayerful spirit and love for people, especially for children as she herself has said, brought numerous graces to many as well as the joy of sharing her spirit and talents.

On Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2006, Sister Marie quietly took leave of this life and entered into her eternal home, no doubt welcomed by many whom she had served and known here.

Her Franciscan smile will be greatly missed.

Love for Mary Immaculate dominated the life of Sister Marie.