Sister M. Margita

Born: 28 September 1938
Entrance: 21 August 1965
Professed: 03 May 1968
Died: 12 October 2026

After a brief, serious illness, she gave her life back to Christ, who was her hope and her confidence: Sister M. Margita, née Erika Huesmann, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

My hope and my joy, my strength, my light, Christ, my confidence. In you I trust, and I fear not.

(Gotteslob No. 365)

Sister M. Margita was born in Grapperhausen near Neuenkirchen in Oldenburg and grew up there with her six siblings on her parents farm. The family had to cope with the early death of their father. Their deep faith, which shaped the lives of all family members, helped them through this difficult time. After finishing school, Erika contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and later a persistent case of hepatitis, so that as a young woman she had to spend a great deal of time in hospitals and sanatoriums.

At the age of 24, Erika Huesmann completed her nursing training in Damme. There she met the Mauritz Franciscan Sisters and entered our Congregation a year later.

Sister M. Margita was a conscientious and skilled nurse at the former nurses’ station, at Rochus Hospital in Telgte, and at the Vreden Hospital. She then completed her geriatric care training in 1986 and cared for the elderly in Ramsdorf and in the St. Mathews’ Floor wing of the motherhouse. During this time, she lived in the Novitiate convent and was very popular among the younger sisters. In 2017, as a senior sister, she was able to return to her hometown of Kroge. There, too, she continued to support the sisters until the very end.

We came to know Sister M. Margita as a humble, friendly, and helpful sister who went about her life with quiet dignity. She was also known for her subtle sense of humor. She read extensively, took an interest in church and political issues, and enjoyed participating in all the events offered to her.  A few days ago, she suddenly suffered a stroke, for which she underwent surgery in Oldenburg. Unfortunately, she was unable to recover from it and passed away there in the palliative care unit, without regaining consciousness and without being able to say goodbye.