Sister Anita Jennissen, 91, died Oct. 6, 2024, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls.
Sister Anita was born Feb. 3, 1933, the fourth of 14 children of the late Math and Margaret (Forster) Jennissen. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls July 31, 1952. She made her first profession of vows Aug. 12, 1954, and final vows Aug. 12, 1957. She was a Franciscan Sister for 72 years.
Anita appreciated growing up on the family dairy farm in a very rural area near Padua, with the address of Sauk Centre. As in many rural communities of the time, Anita attended a one-room school where, after seven years, she passed the state exams to go on for high school. She attended St. Francis High School in Little Falls as a boarder while discerning a call to be a missionary and a nurse. She began nursing school and the following year (1952) entered the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. She learned to know and love the sisters and spirit of St. Francis while studying in their schools.
Sister Anita’s family were very special to her, but this deep, vibrant love was also extended to people of all ages, nationalities and cultures. She ministered to the poor, sick and dying in South America, Africa and the United States with respect and reverence. She said, “Some of the loudest sermons I’ve ever heard come from the poor.”
Sister Anita retired to the Motherhouse in Little Falls in 2018, and decided to write her life story. During the coronavirus pandemic, she spent many hours working on the book and gave it the title “The World is my Cloister.” She was thrilled to have it published in 2022.
Sister Anita was preceded in death by her parents; sister Caroline Weller and husband Casimir, brother Paul, brother Eugene, brother William and wife Eileen (Kemper), and sister Agnes Ledermann; sister-in-law Bernie (Vos); and brothers-in-law Robert Schmiesing, Gary Winningham and Jim Bagan. Survivors include siblings Marie Bagan, Margaret Schmiesing, Anthony (Marlene Brixius), James, Rosalyn (James) Miller, JoAnn Weber (Florian Ledermann), David (Barbara), and Harold (Jean); sisters-in-law Doris (Jay) Jennissen and Claudette (Gallus) Jennissen; 83 nieces and nephews, her Franciscan Community and her many friends throughout the world.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place at St. Francis Convent at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. Friends called at St. Francis Convent from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 13, with a Franciscan prayer service at 7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral Monday. Mass was livestreamed on YouTube: youtube.com/@FSLFvideos.
Arrangements are by Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls.
Donations to Franciscan Sisters ministries preferred.
