Reflection on the Life of Sister Roque Essert

Name: Sister Roque Essert (Mary)

Date of Birth: April 3, 1917
Place of Birth: Dickinson, North Dakota
Parents: Stephen and Marie (Klein) Essert
Religious Profession: August 15, 1942
Date of Death: January 2, 2012

Comments of Sister Louise Hembrecht, Community Director
Wake – January 4, 2012

There were no newspaper clippings in Sister Roque’s file citing all her accomplishments. There weren’t any evaluations that expressed in glowing terms the marvels of her service. Sister Roque was a homemaker all her life. She served the Lord, the Church, and the Community simply and wholeheartedly throughout her life.

I learned a few things about Sister Roque when I read her file. She was born and baptized in Dickenson, North Dakota; she was confirmed at Holy Family Church, in Elcho, Wisconsin; she entered our Community of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity from St. Joseph Parish, Phlox, Wisconsin at the age of 22. When asked on her application papers, how many years of High School she had, she simply said "I didn’t have any." When asked when and from what school did you graduate, she wrote: "I did not graduate from any school."

When she received her acceptance letter and the list of things she was to bring with her, Sister Roque wrote "I would like to go the convent, but I cannot afford to get all things because I have not the money. All I can do is to get a little of it, not very much. If you would take me without getting this, I will come, but if you can’t take me, let me know so I know what to do. Let me know right away."

Lucky for us, Mother Generose let her come without all the things on the entrance list.

I knew Sister Roque as a Sister who worked hard and was very direct – you didn’t have to guess what she was thinking; she had a quick smile and a twinkle in her eye. She was prayerful. During many of the last years of her life, she worked with Sister Virginette and the two forged a deep and lasting friendship.

Sister Roque’s sight and hearing failed during the last years of her life. Most of the time when I visited with her these last years, my energy was spent getting her to hear and understand who I was. When she would finally hear and understand that I was Sister Louise, she would break into a big smile. Of course, when she thought I was someone else, she would also break into a big smile.

The last time I talked her, after she had broken her hip but before her surgery, she told me that her side and leg hurt plenty and that there was something heavy on it so that she could not move. She didn’t like being immobilized. She wanted to know who I was and I told her, several times. Finally, she said, Oh, Sister Maureen and gave me that smile of hers. Good enough.

One of the hardest things Sister Roque had to do was to give up being a homemaker, give up serving others. Actually, she never did give it up. These last months when she was secured in her chair, she would try to get up because she had work to do.

I am certain, that when she died God told her that she had served others all her life and that now it is time for His angels to serve her. All I can say is "Good luck, God." You may have to remind the angels because Sister Roque has some pretty ingrained habits of generous service.

During the night of December 22, Sister Roque got up – I don’t know what she wanted to do – often it was putting the coffee on or getting a meal, but she fell and broke her hip. It was a bad break and required more than just pinning her hip – some of it had to be replaced. I went to the hospital daily to see her after surgery, but she was always sleeping, with her hand folded on her chest, much like she is now.

Sister Roque developed pneumonia and was very weak when she came home to St. Rita’s. She did not regain her strength. She died early Monday morning at the age of 94. Sister Virginette had spent most of the day before at her side.

We will miss her. The many things she did in service to us aren’t recorded in newspaper clippings, but they are etched in our memories and will live on in our hearts. Thank you, Sister Roque. Listen to God, let the angels serve you.

 

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Reflections on Sister Roque Essert
Reflection on Sister Clare Wegmann
Reflection on Sister Mary Rebecca Gauthier
Reflection on Sister Hilda Hersant
Reflection on the Life of Sister Violata Junk
Reflections on Sister Mary Casey
Reflection on Sister Eileen Grace Beaton
Reflections on Sister Emerita Holup
Reflections on Sister Loyola Romey
Reflection on Sister Helen Kelbel
Reflection on Sister Karlene Berger
Reflection on Sister Angelita Knievel
Reflection on Sister Pascalita Velasquez
Reflection on Life of a Sister