News

Sister celebrates 100 years

By Jaye Alderson
Compass Correspondent

After celebrating a century of life on Dec. 24, Sr. Mary Winfrieda Bayer still can't settle on one special memory or one special accomplishment that stands out in her mind. With a cheerful, contented smile, she declares that she equally enjoyed everything she did throughout her life as a member of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.

"I like everything," she said. "I like each place that I was. I like to pray."

Sr. Winfrieda was born Karolina Bayer on Dec. 24, 1906, in Petersbuch, Bavaria, Germany. Her childhood pastor influenced her and several others young girls there to enter the convent at Abenberg, Germany.

She was invested in Rome at the age of 24 and came to the United States in 1933. Her renewal and final vows were made in Milwaukee.

She recalls the crown of seven red roses she wore when making her final vows and said she appreciates the tradition of wearing it again upon her death.

Throughout her long career, Sr. Winfrieda worked as a housekeeper or cook in Mankato, Minn.; Tulsa, Okla.; McKees, Pa.; and Denville, N.J. From 1947 to 1967, she was in charge of the kitchen at Mercy Hospital (now Mercy Medical Center) in Oshkosh.

In those days, she said, the sisters worked all day in the hot kitchen and rarely had a day off. She kept a garden for fresh vegetables and canned a lot of fruit.

She said she enjoyed the times she could get away and say the rosary in the shade of the trees behind the hospital.

"It was cool there," she said. "I loved to cook. I just enjoyed it. If I hadn't had the stroke, I still would be working yet."

She especially remembers making apple fritters and complete meals, such as roast beef, potatoes and vegetables.

Sr. Winfrieda has lived at Franciscan Courts since 2003, and her 100th birthday was celebrated in style. Her nephew, Willi Bayer and her grandniece, Angelica Buchner and her husband, Heinz Buchner, came from Germany to celebrate with her. She said they enjoyed their visit so much they want to return.

Franciscan Courts held three celebrations for her that day. Fr. Bill Kuhr, a chaplain at Franciscan Courts, asked Sr. Winfrieda what she wanted to eat for her birthday. She wanted steak, so Fr. Kuhr and his brother, Dick, cooked steaks on the outside grill for Sr. Winfrieda, her family and friends.

There was an open house in the afternoon and a special Christmas Eve dinner was prepared for her.

Although Sr. Winfrieda's eyesight and mobility are restricted, she visits other sisters in Franciscan Courts. She likes using a walker that lets her get around corners really quickly, even though she sometimes falls down, she said.

She also enjoys watching the news and programs with Mother Angelica on the Eternal World Television Network (EWTN). One of her special memories is visiting the Birmingham, Ala., studio where segments of the program are taped.

"I'd like to go again," she said. "It was so nice down there. It was beautiful."

But most of all, she still likes to pray.

"She's kind of hard to catch sometimes because she's in the chapel a lot," said Sr. Helen Brand, local community leader for Franciscan Courts.

Sr. Winfrieda said she feels the same at the age of 100 as she did before and she is content with her life as a vowed religious.

"It's nice that you have all that you need," she said. "It was a nice life if you like to pray."

And Sr. Winfrieda really likes to pray.