Sister Miriam Therese Harder

Sister Miriam Therese Harder O.S.F. 93, of the Hospital Sisters of  St. Francis died on Friday, October 24, 2014, at 7:45 pm. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Miriam Therese, the former Emelene Agnes Harder, was born in Rochester, MN on December 16, 1920, the daughter of Elmer Joseph and Emeline Theresa Steger Harder.  She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1939, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1942.

She was a graduate of St. John’s School of Nursing.  She served as a nurse, admitting supervisor, and pastoral care associate at hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin.  She also served as Provincial Secretary from 1979-1988.  She returned to the Motherhouse in 2005.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Urban Milton Harder, and four sisters:  Florence Lorraine Harder, Theresa Ann Harder, Dorothy Marie Dickmann and Sister Margaret Paul Harder, C.S.G.

She is survived by two nieces:  Collette Dickmann and Sharon Dipiazza, and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 75 years.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4:00-7:00 pm on Monday, October 27, 2014, with a Wake Service at 6:00 pm.  The Eucharastic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, on Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at 9:00 am. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent.  Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.