Obituaries Sister Arlene Hodapp Sister Arlene Hodapp, 85, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province, died December 30, 2015, at Good Counsel in Mankato. Sister Arlene professed in 1953. In the Diocese of Winona, she taught at St. John the Baptist S c h o o l , Mankato (1959-61); Good Counsel Academy (1968-76) and Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato (199495). She also served as Religious Education Director at Ss. Peter & Paul (1993-96). From 1976-89, she directed the Institute for Reading Development on Good Counsel Hill, which aided clients with reading and other disabilities. She was also a certified foot reflexologist and worked in this capacity from an office on Good Counsel Hill until shortly before her death. She was a descendant of the pioneer Catholics of Mankato--Philip Hodapp, her great grandfather, was instrumental in bringing School Sisters of Notre Dame to Mankato in 1865--and therefore was a link in the 150-year history of SSND in Mankato. Brother Damian Steger De La Salle Christian Brother and long-time administrator of St. Mary’s Press, Brother Damian Steger, FSC ’58, MA '90, died Jan. 6, 2016, at St. Anne Extended Health Care in Winona. He was 79. Thomas M a r t i n S t e g e r was born February 24, 1936, in St. Louis, MO, to John and Mary Elizabeth (Drumm) Steger. He graduated from Cretin High School in St. Paul and obtained a B.A. in Business from St. Mary’s University. He entered the novitiate of the Christian Brothers in 1954 in Glencoe, MO, and pronounced his first vows in 1955, his perpetual vows in 1961. He earned an M.A. in Management from St. Mary's in 1990. Prior to his retirement in 2009, Brother Damian worked for St. Mary’s Press for more than 50 years. He began as a pressman in 1958 and held a variety of positions. In 1974, he was asked to serve as the organization’s second president, a position he held for 27 years. He also served as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Corporation. While he worked at the press, he served as a hall director at St. Mary’s University for several years, mentoring college students who share fond memories. He lived in several Christian Brothers communities in Winona over the years. He served on the St. Mary’s Board of Trustees from 1984-94 and on the board of trustees and finance committee at Lewis University in Illinois. He also served on the Christian Brothers Midwest District
Finance Committee from 1995 to 2012. Brother Damian was instrumental in founding and sustaining Fe y Vida, which for 20 years has served the pastoral needs of young Hispanics and their formation leaders in the U.S. and Latin America. Survivors include brothers John “Jack” (Nan) of White Bear Lake; James (Mary, now deceased) of Albuquerque, NM; and Joseph (Karen) Steger of Roseville; nieces and nephews; and the De La Salle Christian Brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Richard “Father Francis” Steger. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona. Sister Carmen Madigan Sister M. Carmen Madigan, 98, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province, died February 5, 2016, at Good Counsel in Mankato. Sister Carmen professed in 1940. In the Diocese of Winona, she taught at St. Anthony High School, L i s m o r e (1948-53); St. Peter High School, Hokah (1960-61) and Loyola High School, Mankato, where she was also assistant principal (1973-79). She also served one year as a campus minister at St. Thomas More Newman Center, Mankato (1966-67). Beginning in 1985, she coordinated the women's residence program at Good Counsel Education Center, a position she held until 1991. A native of Madison Lake, she attended All Saints School through her Junior year, when the high school closed. She finished her high school education at Mankato High School. Sister Gavin Hagan Sister Gavin Hagan, 91, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on February 25, 2016. Jane Ellen Hagan was born February 22, 1925, in Glendive, MT, to Paul and Aimee Barry Hagan. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1945 from Sacred Heart Parish, Glendive. Sister Gavin made first vows in 1948 and perpetual vows in 1951. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, in 1946, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota in 1956. She also studied at St. John’s University, CarnegieMellon University and the University of Portland, Oregon. In 1966 she accepted a Fulbright Grant to attend a seminar in Middle Eastern Area Studies through the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. In 1985 she participated in a Sabbatical program at Notre Dame University. Sister Gavin served nearly four decades in educational and administrative roles. She taught at Cathedral and Cotter High School, Winona; Notre Dame High School, Portsmouth, OH; and Wehrle High School, Columbus, OH. She served
as Oral Historian for the Sisters of St. Francis 1976-78; Director of Women’s Institute for Life Long Learning and College of St Teresa Rochester Center 1978-85; and as Pastoral Associate at St. Mary’s Parish, Portsmouth, OH (19862000). She returned to Rochester in 2000. Sister Gavin is survived by her Franciscan Community with whom she shared life for 70 years; her brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Alberta Hagan of Lacey, WA, and two nephews: David Scott (Heather) Norton of Lacey, WA, and John Kyle Norton of Chicago, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Fr. Barry J. Hagan, CSC. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester. Sister Delores Schmitz Sister Dolores (Mary Kenneth) Schmitz, 92, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province, died February 27, 2016, at Good Counsel in Mankato. Sister Delores professed in 1944. In the Diocese of Winona, she taught at St. Felix School, Wabasha (1944-47); Ss. Peter & Paul, Mankato (1956-57) and St. Stanislaus, Winona (1964-65). In 1965, she began a 13-year ministry in Religious Education, all in the Diocese of Winona: Crucifixion School, La Crescent (1965-66); St. John Catechetical School, Minnesota Lake (1966-70) and Christ the King Cathechetical School, Medford (1971-83). Her final 25 years in ministry were spent at St. Mary Parish, Waverly, IA, where her special areas of outreach were to the elderly, homebound, ill and dying. Father Douglas Gits Rev. Douglas J. Gits, age 88, of Rochester, a retired priest of the Winona Diocese and former Army Chaplain, died March 12, 2016, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, of pneumonia. Douglas J. Gits was born August 9, 1927, in Fulda, MN. He was the son of Victor and Christina (Plut) Gits. He graduated from Fulda High School in 1945 and attended Seminary at St. John's University and St. Paul Seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1953, and served 3 years in Winona at St. Stanislaus Church and as an instructor at Cotter High School. He was assistant pastor for 5 years in Adrian. Upon entering the Military Service in 1961 as an Army Chaplain, he served in Fort Riley, KS; Korea; White Sands, NM; Vietnam (1966), where he was awarded the Bronze Star; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Hamilton, NY; and Heidelberg and Frankfurt, Germany. Upon returning from the military in 1972, he was assigned pastor at Easton/Delavan, Harmony/ Lanesboro, Dodge Center/Kasson/ Claremont/West Concord, and finally at Hayfield before retiring in Rochester.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. During his school years, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, chorus, band and orchestra. He played football and baseball for St. John's and won the diocese priest golf tournament on many occasions. Survivors include 14 nieces and nephews and their familes. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister (Marjorie), brother (Thomas), and three nephews. Burial was at St. Gabriel Cemetery, Fulda. Father Ruben Spinler Rev. Ruben C. Spinler, age 87, of Montgomery, died March 14, 2016, at his home. Ruben C. Spinler was born to Stanley S p i n l e r and Anna (Kubichek) Spinler on October 31, 1928, the fourth of six children. He grew up on the farm and learned practical mechanics and construction skills from his father. He graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1946, and served in the Army during the Korean War, based in Japan. On September 3, 1952, Ruben married Margaret Jirele and took over the home farm. He also worked a number of other jobs to help bring in income, such as installing cabinetry and appliances, and roofing. He and Margaret had five children, whom they raised with frequent visits to and from cousins, uncles and aunts. Ruben stayed closely involved with the community, serving on the Blooming Prairie school board and the Steele County Soil Conservation board, and helping continually with maintenance at Holy Trinity Church and St. Isidore's School. Ruben lost his beloved wife Margaret on November 3, 1978, to leukemia, but continued to raise his children and farm until the all of them were at college or in careers. During a pilgrimage to the Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Ruben was inspired to investigate the priesthood. His eldest son, Michael, took over the family farm, the Diocese of Winona sponsored Ruben to the Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI, and on June 15, 1994, Ruben Spinler was ordained a priest. Father Ruben Spinler was installed as the pastor of the parishes at Rose Creek and Lyle, where he served for 10 years until his retirement. After retirement, he continued to offer the sacraments regularly. He officiated the marriages of several of his children and grandchildren and baptized many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Father Spinler is survived by one sister, Theodora Jirele of Owatonna, and his children: Kathleen (Richard) Ruhland of Montgomery, Michael (Julie) Spinler of Blooming Prairie, Mark (Melinda) Spinler of Grand Marais, Lisa (Brian) Roesler of Grant, and Patrick (Jennifer) Spinler of Kasson, and by 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Burial was in the cemetery of Holy Trinity Church in Litomysl.
Sister Brian Taylor Sister Brian Taylor, 94, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on March 15, 2016. J o a n Virginia Taylor was born February 15, 1922, in Adrian to Bryan C. and Carolyn (Krepfl) Taylor. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1941 from St. Adrian Parish. Sister Brian made first vows in 1944, perpetual vows in 1947. In 1961 she received a B.S. in Elementary Education. Sister Brian began her teaching career in 1944 and for 50 years taught in Catholic Schools in southern Minnesota. She served as a primary teacher at Queen of Angels, Austin (1944-49); St. John/St. Francis School, Rochester (1949-53); St. Columba School, Iona (1953-57); St. Augustine School, Austin (195761); and Cathedral School, Winona (1961-63). She taught kindergarten and Religious Education at St. Catherine School, Luverne (1963-64 and 1967-75); Religious Education at Sacred Heart Parish, Hayfield (196467) and kindergarten at Queen of Angels School, Austin (1974-94). Sister Brian was a Head Start Teacher Aide in Austin Area Public Schools (1994-95) and did outreach services for Catholic Charities in Austin (1996-2001). She moved to Assisi Heights in 2004. Sister Brian is survived by her Franciscan Community with whom she shared life for 74 years and her brothers James Taylor of Adrian, Carroll Taylor of Minneapolis, William (Dee) Taylor of Worthington, and Eugene Taylor of Adrian. She was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers: Earl Taylor, Paul Taylor, Jerome Taylor, Fr. Robert Taylor, and Bryan Taylor. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.
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Sister Thomasin Sergot Sister Thomasin Sergot, 73, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province, died March 18, 2016, at her home in Inver Grove Heights. Sister Thomasin professed in 1962. A St. Paul native and graduate of Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, she taught in the Diocese of Winona at Crucifixion School, La Crescent (1963-64). She also worked in rural parish ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis and the Diocese of New Ulm. Sister Thomasin worked for many years with Sister Donna Walerius, SSND, and Father Otto Neudecker promoting the team ministry concept for rural parishes. April, 2016 w The Courier