Sister Mary I. Otis
February 18, 1924–September 6, 2008
On February 18, 1924, Fidelis Otis was born to Joseph Otis and Mary Schwiderski Otis,farmers
in Wesley, Iowa. Like her five siblings, she attended St. Joseph’s Grade School in Wesley and
later completed her secondary education in the local public high school. Following her
graduation from high school, Fidelis worked as a secretary in Iowa for about five years.
In the 1940s she left Iowa behind her and moved to Utah where she began working toward her
Bachelor of Arts degree at St. Mary-of-the Wasatch College in Salt Lake City. To finance her
college education, she spent her summers working on a dude ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Shortly after receiving her BA degree, Fidelis entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Paul,
Minnesota. In 1955 she received the habit and was given a new name, Sister Mary Immaculate.
When she completed her novitiate and was professed as a Sister of St. Joseph in 1957, Sister
Mary Immaculate was assigned to the College of St. Catherine. For the next 25 years she worked
as an assistant in various offices at the College of St. Catherine: accounts receivable, admissions,
and housing. As a member of the College community, Sister became known for her generosity
and diligent service. In a semi-official capacity, she became the gift-wrapper for the special
Christmas presents given by the College to faithful benefactors each year. She also gained fame
for her candy making, a hobby in which she continued to engage long after her years at the
College.
In 1980 Sister began her studies in Long-Term Care. After earning her Master’s degree from the
University of North Texas in 1983, she worked as an administrator of a long-term facility in
Texas. Although she enjoyed all of her assignments throughout her active years, her ministry to
the elderly was the great love of her life.
When Sister retired from the care of the elderly in 1998, she returned to St. Paul where she
served as the daytime receptionist at Bethany Convent. For the next six years she was familiar
friend to the sisters and staff as well as to the many visitors who came to the retirement home.
In 2006 Sister Mary I. moved to Bethany where she spent the final years of her life with the
Sisters she had first met in 1954.
May she rest in peace!
Sister Mary I. is survived by sisters, Sister Gertrude Ann Otis, Cele Hauptman, by numerous
loving and caring nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Joseph. | 