Born Feb. 16, 1939, in Meeme, Manitowoc County, Sister Marilyn Herr 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. She attributes her call to religious life to Sister Katherine 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 of need. She entered the Clinical Pastoral Education Program in Minneapolis in training for chaplaincy. In the fall of 1995, Sister Marilyn accepted a staff chaplain position at St. Vincent Hospital until her retirement in the spring of 2015. From 1997 to 2001, Sister Marilyn served on the Community Leadership Team, and from 2009 to 2018, she was the Director of Associates, a relationship of lay women and men who partner with the Sisters in living Franciscan values.
For Sister Marilyn, the Scriptural words of "Make your home in Me" (John 15) are her daily response to the call heard many years ago. She recognizes that Jesus is the center of and inspiration for her spiritual life, Community, and ministry.
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