Sister Juanita (Barbara) Mauer, age 83, died on July 13, 2023, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.
Sister Juanita was born on April 24, 1940, in Fergus Falls, Minn., the second of four children born to the late Ernest and Alice (Zimmer) Mauer. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on July 31, 1958, and received the name Sister Mary Juanita. She made her first profession of vows on August 12, 1960, and final vows on August 12, 1963. She was a Franciscan Sister for 65 years.
Sister Juanita graduated from St. Francis High School (1958) and St. Gabriel’s School of Nursing, Little Falls; earned a bachelor of science degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee; and a master’s degree from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
She ministered as a staff nurse, nursing service director, research nurse, and home care and hospice nurse. She served at hospitals in Breckenridge, Brainerd and Little Falls; and in Milwaukee and Dodgeville, Wis; at Indian Health Services, Pine Ridge, S. Dak.; hospice/home health in Espanola and Santa Fe, N. Mex.; and at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, St. Augusta, Minn.
A gentle, caring and giving woman, Sister Juanita regarded her nursing ministry as a means of relieving the pain and suffering of God’s people here on earth, often expressing that she received much more than what she gave through her nursing. Wherever she lived, she involved herself in many aspects of parish life and immersed herself in the culture of the people she served. She felt privileged to accompany disabled persons as their nurse on three trips to Israel with STAROUS, an organization that offered opportunities for persons with disabilities. Apart from nursing, she served her Franciscan community as its Director of Candidates for six years.
Sister Juanita treasured prayer as a prime value in her life and said, “It is in prayer that I enter into a deep relationship with the Lord and am given the strength to live a life of love and service.”
She enjoyed the simple things in life: admiring the flowers while taking long walks in nature, and relaxing with a cup of coffee, a chocolate chip cookie and a bowl of ice cream. She relished times spent with family and friends; her story-telling and delightful sense of humor brought much laughter to those visits. In later years she had the pleasure of the company of her beloved cat, Mr. Tux.
Sister Juanita was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Sister Carolita, OSF, and Joseph. Survivors include brother Francis (Yoriko), sister-in-law Sharon Mauer, a niece, two nephews, three great-nephews and her Franciscan Community.
A private burial was held for Sister Juanita on July 14, 2023. A Memorial Mass was celebrated on July 19, 2023, at St. Francis Convent.
Watch Sister Juanita's memorial video here
