Sr. Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Buergler, OSB

ROCK ISLAND — A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Chapel of St. Mary Monastery here for Sister Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Buergler, OSB. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, also in Rock Island.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the monastery, with a Christian wake service at 7 p.m.

The Mass will be livestreamed through the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery Facebook page. Those who would like to attend in person are asked to contact the monastery at (309) 283-2100.

Sister Maggie died on Aug. 6, 2022, at St. Mary Monastery. She was 86.

The daughter of Martin and Frances (Leding) Buergler, Mary Frances Buergler was born July 9, 1936, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She entered the Benedictine community at St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith in 1952, and made her profession as a Benedictine Sister on June 24, 1955.

Sister Maggie transferred to Our Lady of Peace Monastery when it was established in 1969. Upon its closure, she came to St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island in 2010.

She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas, in 1970; a master’s degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1979; and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry with a minor in counseling from Seattle University in 1985.

Sister Maggie was a teacher in the elementary grades in Arkansas and Missouri, and taught those with special needs from pre-school children through adults in Missouri and Maryland. In addition, she provided pastoral ministry in parishes, and was coordinator of retreat ministry in Columbia, Missouri.

Preceded in death by her parents and brothers Father Luke, OSB, Abbot Boniface, OSB, and Ben, Sister Maggie is survived by her Benedictine Sisters; her brother, Bede; two sisters-in-law; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, 2200 88th Ave. West, Rock Island, IL 61201.