Sr. Mary Claire Hausfeld OSF's Obituary
Sr. Mary Claire Hausfeld, age 73 of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, died August 19, 2022 at the Convent. Born July 22, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the second of eight children born to Celeste “Sally” (Nee: Holthaus) and Paul Hausfeld.
Mary Claire grew up in the St. Bernard community where she attended St. Clement grade school and Our Lady of Angels High School, having been taught by the Oldenburg Franciscans. Following graduation, Mary Claire made her decision to enter the Convent on September 8, 1967.
She studied at Marian College and returned to Oldenburg in 1971 where she began her food service career in the convent’s diet kitchen. She served as manager of the diet kitchen from 1980 to 1985 before being promoted to manager of central food service where she continued to serve until her retirement in 2013.
In addition to her culinary skills, Mary Claire enjoyed crafting, especially creating Christmas décor including intricate “pretzel log cabins” that were displayed on the tree in the Sister’s dining room. She also volunteered her skills in mixing huge batches of cookie dough for the Sister’s to bake in preparation for Oldenburg’s annual Holidays Under the Spires. Mary Claire enjoyed testing new recipes and ensuring a festive meal was in store for all the Sister’s special events.
When interviewed prior to a jubilee celebration, Mary Claire commented, “Family and friends have been a treasure in my life. They have always been there for me, and I am grateful for their continued love and support. Pictures of water from a lake or a tricking brook have been an image I have used over the years in my prayers. These continue to be a source of peace and calm in my life as I try to live one day at a time.”
Mary Claire is survived by her siblings Jim Hausfeld, Judy (Bob) Hoffmeister, Richard (Cindy) Hausfeld, Bill (Liz) Hausfeld, John (Julia) Hausfeld, Jane Hausfeld, Carol (Scott) Adams and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 25th, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at the convent chapel. Funeral services follow at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. Ken Overberg SJ, officiating. Attendees are asked to where a mask. Burial will be in the convent cemetery. For those unable to attend, services will be live-streamed at https://youtu.be/9coVBChw9UU. Memorials may be made to the Srs. of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, Indiana, 47036 (www.OldenburgFranciscans.org).
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