Sister M. Leonardine
Born: April 9, 1930
Entrance: September 8, 1945
Professed: October 4, 1948
Died: September 5, 2026
After 96 years of faithful Service, God gently led her to heaven Sister Leonardine Sconzert, née Marcella Rose, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.
She reaches out her hands to the poor and extends her arms to the needy.
(Proverbs 31:20)
After 96 years of faithful Service, God gently took Sister Leonardine Sconzert’s hands and led her to heaven on September 5 at 8:15 pm. Her hands, which had spent a lifetime serving, comforting, and caring for others, now rast in the loving hands of God. Sister Emerencia and Mary Kately were with her as she passed away.
Born on April 9, 1930, in Luxemburg, Wisconsin, and named Marcella Rose, she was the daughter of Peter and Caroline M. (Finendael) Sconzert.
In 1944, she enrolled in St. Joseph’s Academy, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and worked at St.Vincent Hospital after school. She lived in the girls’ home at the hospital, and through the example of the Sisters and prayer, she became increasingly certain that God was calling her to religious life. At just 15 years of age, she answered that call and entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1945, and she professed first vows on October 4, 1948. Her education and formation continued in the Novitiate,where she completed high school. She graduated from St. John’s Hospital School ofNursing in 1954 and eamed a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College in 1972.She served in nursing in Sheboygan, Effingham, Eau Claire, Chicago, and Streator, alongwith ministry at the FAC and the House of Prayer.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers: Boniface, Harry,Harvey, Hilary, Roy, Wilbert, and William; and sisters: Bernice DeMuth, Flavia Sconzert, and Harriet Schilke. She is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A beautiful thread runs through Sister Leonardine’s life: her hands. First, her hands were hands of healing. As a nurse, she used them to comfort those who were sick. As a driver, she provided transportation to her Sisters throughout the years.
Second her hands were hands that created beauty. She was blessed with the art of cross-stitch, and she created gifts for her family, Jubilarians, and Christmas Ornaments – small reminders of love with each stitch. Third, her hands were hands of humble Service.In her later years of ministry, she continued Jesus’ healing ministry as she cared for the feet of her Sisters. There is profound meaning in this ministry. Jesus knelt before His disciples and washed their feet, giving an example of humility, love, and servant leadership. Sister Leonardine followed that example. Her hands cared for the feet of her Sisters – feet that were the foundation upon which ministry was lived.
Perhaps this is one of the most beautiful ways to remember Sister Leonardine: herhands expressed what was in her heart. Her life reminds us that a vocation is notmeasured only by the titles we hold or the places where we serve. It is measured by thelove we give, the lives we touch, and the faithfolness with which we answer God’s calleach day.
May her example inspire us to serve with humility, to create beauty, and to care for oneanother with tendemess. May she rest in peace.
