Sister Dorothy (formerly Mary Bede) Roesch, 90, died Tuesday at Serenity Circle at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, WI, where she resided. Dorothy was born in Altoona, PA, daughter of Edward and Mary (Barnes) Roesch. She had one brother, Edward Roesch Jr. Her happiest days were in the classroom, where she loved to be Sister's helper. When Sister John Baptist asked her in the eighth grade what she wanted to be, her unhesitating response was ''I want to be a sister." And so it was that the Sisters of St. Agnes, teaching in Altoona in 1933, helped Dorothy prepare for her new life. In Fond du Lac, Dorothy attended St. Agnes Convent High School and Marian College, from which she received a BS in education. She received the name Sister Mary Bede when she professed her first vows Aug. 15, 1937. Fifty years later, she returned to her baptismal name. For the next 28 years, she taught primary and intermediate grades in Kansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and PA. Sister Dorothy is survived by a number of cousins and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed and ministered. Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward Roesch and Mary (Barnes); and brother, Edward. Visitation for Sister Dorothy will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 1:45 p.m. today, Dec. 18, at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett St., Fond du Lac. A prayer service will be held at 11 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today, Dec. 18, 2008, at the St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett St., Fond du Lac, Father Edward Sippel presiding. Burial will be at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery when weather permits. Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes (www.zacherlfuneralhome.com).
Sister was one of six nuns who celebrated their 70th jubilee in July, 2007.
Altoona Mirror, Thurs., Dec. 18, 2008