Sister Barbara Misner, 82, Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, died June 28, 2013, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, Wisconsin, under the care of the staff at Bell Tower Residence and Ministry Home Care Hospice Service.
Sister Barbara was born April 13, 1931, in Jackson, Michigan, daughter of the late Francis de Sales Misner and Madge (Mee) Misner. Sister entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill on August 2, 1948, and celebrated her First Profession on August 24, 1950.
Sister Barbara received her education at St. Francis Academy, Pittsburg, PA; Our Lady of the Holy Cross High School, Merrill, WI; Catholic University, Washington D.C.; Alverno College, Milwaukee, WI; Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH; and American University at the National Archives.
Her 62 years of ministry included elementary school teaching in Antigo and Mercer, Wisconsin; Deer Park, OH; and Haymarsh, ND. She also taught at the Menard Junior College in Merrill, WI. One of Sister’s main loves was that of an archivist. She worked for the archdiocese of Cincinnati, OH; the diocese of La Crosse and Madison, WI; Great Falls, Montana; School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee, WI; St. Norbert Abby, De Pere, WI; and for the Holy Cross Sisters USA Province in Merrill, WI. She wrote the history of the Holy Cross Sisters, completing the first two volumes.
Her special interests were in European and USA history, particularly the history of women religious. She helped organize the Conference on the History of Women Religious in 1988. Sister retired in 2006 and resided at St. Joseph’s Convent in Campbellsport, WI, prior to moving back to Bell Tower Residence in Merrill.
Sister Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and aunt Sister Lucy Mee who was a former provincial of the Holy Cross Sisters. She is survived by her family of Holy Cross Sisters and Associates; four brothers, Charles (Susanne), Chevy Chase, MD, Dr. Paul (Constance), Brookfield, WI, John (Patricia), San Diego, CA, Joseph, Windsor, CT. Sister is also survived by nieces Benedicte Misner and Danielle (Adrian) Ruddock, nephews Francis Misner, Timothy (Maya) Misner, and Christopher (Crystal) Misner; and four great nephews; and three great nieces.
Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, July 1, 2013, in Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, with Father James Baraniak, O.Praem, officiating. Friends may call from 11:00 A.M. until Noon on Monday in Holy Cross Chapel. Burial will take place in St. Francis Cemetery, Merrill, at a later date. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
Memorials can be made to Bell Tower Residence and sent to: Holy Cross Sisters, 1400 O’Day Street, Merrill, WI 54452.