Sister Hildegarde Peiffer, age 93, died Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center, Johnston, Iowa.
Visitation will be at the Humility of Mary Center, Magnificat Chapel, 820 W. Central Park Ave. in Davenport Wednesday, March 30, from 4–7 p.m. with rosary at 4 p.m. and vigil service at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass is Thursday, March 31, 11 a.m., in Magnificat Chapel with burial following in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.
Hildegarde Adelia Peiffer (Sister Mary Hildegarde) was born on April 4, 1917 in Buffalo, Iowa to Wendel and Adelia Streicher Peiffer. On July 3, 1935 she entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Ottumwa, Iowa where she professed vows on July 17, 1938.
She received an A.A. in education from Ottumwa Heights College and did further studies at St. Ambrose and Marycrest Colleges in Davenport, receiving a Lifetime Teacher Certificate. For more than 30 years, she taught in Catholic elementary schools in Iowa towns of Marshalltown, Cosgrove, Parnell, Fort Madison, Centerville, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa and Davenport. Other ministries included childcare at the Christ Child Home, Des Moines, and St. Vincent Home, Davenport.
In later years, Sr. Peiffer provided housekeeping services at St. Vincent Center; despite physical limitations, she was determined to continue active ministry, primarily in service to the retired priests in Davenport who resided there. In 1992, she retired to the Humility of Mary Center; a decade later, she moved to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center where she celebrated her 90th birthday and her 75th jubilee as a Sister. Always ready to retain contact with family and friends in Davenport, she returned for holidays and celebrations whenever possible.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Joseph, and sister, Marcella Mullen. She is survived by her brother, Wendel, Davenport, many nieces and nephews and the Sisters and associates of her religious community.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Humility of Mary.
Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting’s Sr. Hildegarde’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
