Schwester M. Hermana

Born: January 21, 1924
Entrance: January 30, 1948
Professed: October 28, 1950
Died: April 15, 2025

Our sister, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, born in the name of Ida Kohls, was able to celebrate her resurrection on Tuesday in the Holy Week.

Resurrection is our faith.

Reunion is our hope.

Remembrance is our love.

(Hl.Augustinus)

Sister M. Hermana was able to look back over a whole century before she died at the age of 101. In three weeks, she would have been able to celebrate her crown jewel anniversary 75 years after her first profession.

Ida Kohls was born in Ellenstedt during the Weimar Republic and grew up with her six siblings on her parents’ farm. She experienced the “Third Reich” as a schoolgirl and helped on her parents’ farm during the Second World War. Her Catholic family actively campaigned against National Socialism in the region “Oldenburger Muensterland” in the North-West of Germany.

When the Federal Republic of Germany was rebuilt after the war, the young woman joined our congregation. In addition to her nursing training, she also trained as a manager for nursing homes. She took on the role of the superior in Everswinkel, Straelen, Körbecke and St Heriburg House.
She then looked after the refectory at St. Josefs-Haus in Ennigerloh and returned to St. Heriburg-Haus as a senior in 2018, where she was still able to take part in the community’s convent and prayer life until a few weeks ago. Weak and tired with age, she placed her life back in God’s hands, as calmly and quietly as we had come to know and appreciate her.

Sister M. Hermana did not make a fuss about herself, but was very present with her large, radiant eyes. She loved going on pilgrimage to the Mother of Sorrows in Buddenbaum. She said that she loved praying in the community, but especially enjoyed the quiet times in the chapel.

We bid a grateful farewell to Sister M. Hermana. We remember her in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist and remain connected to her as sisters.