Posted: Feb. 24, 2009 |(0) Comments

Sister Catherine (Mary Gregor) Bock of the School Sisters of Notre Dame died Feb. 17, 2009, at age 88.

She was born in Hewitt on July 27, 1920, to Max and Anna (Schimmel) Bock. Baptized Catherine, she was the seventh of eight children. Her father, from Schloch-ho, Germany, and her mother, from Witchin, Austria, were children when their families immigrated to the United States. They lived and worked on a farm near Hewitt.

She received her elementary education at St. Michael School in Hewitt, where she was taught by School Sisters of Notre Dame. Early on, she felt the desire to be a sister. Her older sister, Gertrude (Sister La Salette), had already entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame congregation. After her freshman year at St. John in Marshfield, she entered the Notre Dame Convent in Milwaukee where she completed high school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Mount Mary College with a major in English and minors in history and social science.

Given the name Mary Gregor at her reception, she professed her first vows in 1939. This year, she would have celebrated her 70th jubilee as a School Sister of Notre Dame.

She served for 33 years as a teacher. In later years, she worked as a minister to the elderly. She retired to Notre Dame of Elm Grove in 1986 where she ministered as a volunteer and by her prayers and presence. Her ministry locations included Milwaukee; Gary, Ind.; Green Bay; Appleton; Chippewa Falls; Superior; Escanaba, Mich.; and Elm Grove.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Niehaus; nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the School Sisters of Notre Dame Community.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Feb. 23 at The Holy Family Chapel at Notre Dame of Elm Grove.

Memorials are suggested to the School Sisters of Notre Dame retirement fund.