Born Feb. 16, 1939, in Meeme, Manitowoc County, Marilyn was the last of four children (siblings Robert, Fritz, and Clarissa) of Cornelius and Lucida Herr. She attended St. Fidelis School and was educated by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Green Bay. She attributes her call to religious life to Sister Katherine Hoffman who was her smiling and outstanding grades 1-5 teacher and her parents who lived and instilled a deep spiritual life.
Sister Marilyn obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at St. Norbert College and a master’s degree in elementary school administration from the University of Dayton, Ohio. She served as a teacher and principal in schools throughout the Green Bay Diocese: St. Joseph, Marinette; St. John the Baptist, Howard; St. Louis, Dyckesville; Holy Cross, Mishicot; Holy Trinity, Casco; St. Mary, Bear Creek; and St. Isidore, Osman. From 1976 to 1981, she also served as a curriculum consultant in the Green Bay Diocesan Education Office.
After 35 years of educational ministry, Sister Marilyn felt the need to redirect her energies toward another ministry. She entered the Clinical Pastoral Education Program in Minneapolis in training. In fall 1995, Sister Marilyn accepted a staff chaplain position at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay until her retirement in the spring of 2015.
From 1997 to 2001, Sister Marilyn also served on the Community Leadership Team, and from 2009 to 2018 as the Community’s Director of the Associate Relationship. In recent years, Sister has been ministering to her Sisters and volunteering twice a week at St. Vincent de Paul Store in Green Bay. For Sister Marilyn, the Scriptural words of “Make your home in me” (John 15) are her daily response to the call heard years ago. She recognizes that Jesus is the center of and inspiration for her spiritual life, Community, and ministry.
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