Sister Germaine Muench, CSJ November 9, 1913 - January 29, 2009
On November 9, 1913, Lidwina Hildegard, the daughter of Mary Ann (Eiler) and Aloysius Muench, was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Just a week later, Lidwina was baptized in Holy Rosary Church.When Lidwina was ready for first grade, she joined her brothers and sisters who attended St. Mary’s School in Bird Island. It was there she met the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sister Ulrica.
From earliest years Lidwina knew that she wanted to be a sister, “one just like Sister Ulrica.”Following her graduation from St. Mary’s High School, Lidwina entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Paul, on September 8,1932. On the feast of St. Joseph, in March,1933, she received the habit and was given her religious name, Sister Germaine. As was customary in those years, she made her first vows on March 19,1935, and she pronounced her final vows on the feast of the Assumption, August 15,1938.
With her first mission to Ascension School in Minneapolis in 1935, Germaine began her teaching ministry in Catholic education, a commitment that extended over a period of 40 years. As a well-prepared and conscientious educator, she taught in the elementary schools within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the New Ulm Diocese, and the Diocese of Fargo. In St. Paul, her missions included these schools: St. Louis, St. Patrick, St. Mark, Holy Spirit, St. Mary, and St. James. In Minneapolis, Germaine taught at St. Anthony, St. Lawrence, Christ the King, St.Stephen, Holy Name, St.Kevin, Nativity of Mary, and Ascension. Out-of town assignments included St. Mary, Le Center; St. Mary, White Bear Lake; St. Raphael, Crystal; and John Ireland, Hopkins. In the New Ulm Diocese, Germaine taught fourth grade at Holy Redeemer in Marshall, and in the Fargo Diocese, the fourth grade at St. Michael’s School in Grand Forks. Everywhere Germaine took time to listen attentively to the children’s concerns, encouraged those who were struggling, and discovered inner goodness in each child.
Germaine received her teaching certificate from the Diocesan Teachers College in St. Paul in 1948. In 1959 She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, with majors in education and English, from the College of Catherine. Summertime studies included music workshops, theology programs and enrichment courses. Having completed many years in teaching, Germaine decided to respond to other needs within and beyond the community. In the 1980s she joined the supportive staff at Ascension Place, a transitional housing shelter designed to empower women to live healthy lives. Other engaging ministries included working with migrant Mexican families, serving as a regular driver for elderly sisters, tutoring adults, serving as assistant sacristan at Holy Angels, working in the “We Care” program to provide food for families in need, and volunteering in several other areas of pastoral and social ministries.
October 24,1994, Germaine retired and came to Bethany.Germaine was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers. She is survived by Geraldine Zimmerman, many loving nieces, grand-nieces and grand- nephews, and the Sisters of St. Joseph and Consociates.
