Sister Armella Frances Weibel

Funeral Mass for Sister Armella Weibel age 96 of Milwaukee, WI will be 10:30 am, Thursday, January 7, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church, Rural Clearwater, with Father James Kramper, Officiating. Burial will be at St. Anthony's Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at St. John's Catholic Church with Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Sister Armella passed away on December 31, 2015 in Milwaukee. Sister Armella, Frances, the youngest of 13th children, was born on February 7, 1920, to Joseph and Rosa Weibel in Ewing, Nebraska.  She grew up in a loving, hardworking family. There was always plenty of work to do on the farm. Because of playing school, she mastered the multiplication tables at age 4.  Even at this young age math was "her thing."  The county superintendent agreed with her father that she was ready for 1st grade at age 4.  She could also print her name at this early age.  She attended a one-room school through 7th grade and she completed her 8th grade at Ewing Public High School, graduating at the young age of 15.  The Sisters who taught summer Catechism classes were an inspiration to her.  Praying, working, sharing, and giving generously to God and neighbor were most important.  Summer of 1936, her cousin shared with her the secret that she was going to enter a convent in New York and would she like to join her. Even though her parents had other plans for her, they agreed to let her go.  After visiting our convent in Elgin, she knew immediately that this was the order to which God was calling her, and of course, it was the School Sisters of St. Francis.  On August 28, 1936, she and Arlene Welding were accompanied to St. Joseph Convent by Arlene's aunt, Sister Veremunda.  Sister Armella was received on June 13, 1937.  During the 2nd year of her novitiate she began her teaching career in the 2nd grade classroom at St. Clara School in Chicago.  After 10 years at St. Clara, she was sent to teach Mathematics, Science and Physical Education in Frankenstein, MI.  She enrolled in the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to prepare for teaching Mathematics at Alverno College in Milwaukee.  1952 until 2002 she taught in the Mathematics Department at Alverno College until her retirement at St. Joseph Convent in July, 2002.  She held membership in various professional associations.  She is listed in the Who's Who in Women of Mathematics.  She received recognition for her many years of service at Alverno by being granted the title of Faculty Emerita.  But her most cherished honor has been that of being named " A DISTINGUISHED DAUGHTER OF EWING, NEBRASKA."  Sister Armella ended her years at Sacred Heart Convent.  She kept herself busy making rosaries for many missionaries and also for our Assisi Province in India.  Her room was always in perfect order –this must have been due to her mathematical mind.  And now, Sister Armella has been added to the Kingdom of heaven and is multiplying her joys with all those who have gone before her.
Survived by Kathleen (Charles) Murphy, Tecumseh; Janet (Les) Blum of Harlan, IA; Dennis Funk of Clearwater, Ne, Dale (Linda) Funk, Clearwater, NE, Betty Bryant, Plattsmouth, NE, Renee (Robert) Mather, Norfolk, NE, Linda Sue (Bill) Kirshenbaum, Omaha, NE.
Preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Albert J. and Joseph L. and sisters: Mary Weibel Funk, Helen Weibel Povondra, and Teresa Weibel and half brothers: William, Frank, Henry, and George Weibel and William Schindler, and half sister: Anna Schindler.