Sister Maria Elfriede Blömer

✝ Saturday, October 7th 2023

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Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life;
whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live. (John 11:25)

The merciful and benevolent God completed the life of our dear Sister Maria Elfriede (née Elfriede Blömer) on October 7, 2023.

Birth: August 12, 1940
Entrance: 10 August 1966
First vows: May 1, 1969
Eternal life: October 7, 2023

Sister Maria Elfriede was born as the twelfth child of her parents Josepha and Johann Blömer in Harkebrügge in the district of Cloppenburg. When she was only two years old, her father died. After leaving school, Elfriede stayed with her mother for another year, then she learned housekeeping. In 1959, she met our sisters for the first time at the Hospital in Friesoythe. In 1964, she completed with great joy her nursing exam. Her desire to become a Sister grew and two years later she entered the Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in Münster-St. Mauritz.

During the 54 years on our common road as Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, she got to know many larger and smaller houses. Sister Maria Elfriede committed herself in many ways with her housekeeping skills, as a nurse, as a sacristan, in pastoral services and in the information service. Thus, she served in the hospital in Bremen, in the seminary in Münster, in convents and hospitals in Borghorst, Ahaus, Greven, Lünen and also Lohne. Her beautiful photo cards, through which she supported the Indian mission, are a beautiful reminder. Throughout her life, Sister Maria Elfriede bore her many health problems and also serious illnesses with much strength and a courageous fighting spirit.

She lived at St. Heriburg House in Münster for seven years. After a fall a few weeks ago, she had to undergo hospitalization. Her will to live was still visible until the end, as well as her interest in all that happened in the community. Already very weakened, she nevertheless inquired two days before her death, "Is there anything new at Heriburg House?" May the faithful servant of the Lord, Saint Joseph, the patron saint of her mother, to whom she was therefore particularly devoted, now guide her to eternal life.

With respect and gratitude, we bid farewell to Sister Maria Elfriede. We remember her in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist and remain united with her.