Sister Rosalia (Mary Ambrose) Bauer, FSPA
Sister Rosalia Bauer, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 95, died on Friday, October 11, 2024 at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the 74th year of her religious profession.
Rosalia Ritalina was born on February 20, 1929 to Joseph A. and Rosa (Danzinger) Bauer in Lima, Wisconsin. She and her eight brothers and two sisters grew up on the family farm. In 1947 she followed her aunt, Sr. Ritalina Danzinger, FSPA, and entered St. Rose Convent. She made her profession of first vows on August 12, 1950.
Always wanting to be a nurse, she became an RN, graduating from St. Anthony School of Nursing, Carroll, Iowa; then going on to receive a BSN from Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa; then an MSN from the University of Washington, Seattle, and eventually she became a family nurse practitioner through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.. Sister Rosalia ministered in the field of nursing in nine states (Wis., Iowa, Wash., Idaho, Ind., Ill., Md., Va., Vt., Ky.) and Thailand, in large and small hospitals, nursing homes, homecare, university clinics, county clinics, public health centers, a migrant camp and a refugee camp. She saw nursing as “a doorknob allowing entrance into people’s homes and hearts.” Her varied experiences, especially with the migrants in Virginia and refugees in Thailand, gave her a deep appreciation of cultural differences, the miracles of medicine and the resilience of people. In 1992, a new passion was born for Sr. Rosalia when she was invited to become part of the pro-life movement through Pro-Life Wisconsin. She continued her pro-life commitment for the rest of her years, even into retirement.
Sister Rosalia is survived by her Franciscan community, her brother Arnold (Durand, Wis.), sister-in-law Patricia Bauer (Durand) and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Lewis, Joseph, Lawrence, Edward, Leonard, Wilfred and Patrick, and her sisters Catherine Bilderback and Florence Hayden, as well as her aunt, Sister Ritalina Danzinger, FSPA.
A vigil service will take place for Sister Rosalia on Thursday, October 17, 2024 3:30 p.m. at Mary of the Angels Chapel, St. Rose Convent. A virtual sharing will take place that evening at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be with her parents at Holy Rosary Parish, Lima, Wis. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.
