Sister Annella Bieniek

Sister Mary Annella Bieniek, 93 year old resident of the St. Francis Convent passed away Sunday, October 21, 2018 at the Franciscan Sister's Convent in Little Falls, MN. A Franciscan prayer service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Monday, October 22, 2018 in Little Falls, MN. A private burial will take place in the Franciscan Sister's Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. A Memorial Mass will take place at St. Francis Convent on Saturday, October 27, at 11 a.m. Donations to Franciscan Sisters Ministries preferred. Clara Bieniek was born on December 4, 1924, in Bowlus, Minn. She was the youngest of 11 children born to the late Nick and Anna (Krych) Bieniek. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on August 12, 1942, and given the name, Sister Mary Annella. She made her first profession of vows on August 12, 1944, and final vows on August 12, 1947. She was a Franciscan Sister for 76 years. Sister Annella was certified in Red Cross home nursing and first aid, marriage/pastoral counseling and clinical pastoral education. Sister Annella ministered as a housekeeper, cook, sacristan, dietary aide, activities and recreation coordinator and pastoral care associate. She was also a spiritual assistant to members of the Secular Franciscan Order. This was a much loved and treasured ministry and she was still in contact with many of those SFOs. She served in Dodgeville, Milwaukee and South Milwaukee, Wis.; Wahpeton, N. Dak.; Breckenridge, Moorhead, Perham, Parkers Prairie, Onamia, Morris, Little Falls and Marshall, Minn. Sister Annella was a wide-eyed, energetic person with a spirit of hospitality and compassion as special gifts. Her prayer life and love for the gospel were hallmarks of her daily living. She was an active member of the Healing Light Prayer Community, a Little Falls St. Mary’s Parish prayer group, for many years. She enjoyed helping and assisting the sick, dying and disabled as well as giving support to their families. Sister was preceded in death by siblings: Brother Gabriel (Raymond), OSB, Alois, Isadore, Margaret, Tillie Henneck, Bridget, Agnes Hennek, Agatha, Eva Swietzer and Helen Susan. Survivors include many nieces and nephews, her extended family and her Franciscan Community.

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Sister Annella Bieniek

December 4, 1924 - October 21, 2018