Sr. Renee Mary Wargel

Sr. Renee Wargel (Therese Celine), 93, died peacefully at Envive Healthcare on July 11, 2025. She was born on January 23, 1932 to Vincent and Stella (Schuler) Wargel in Evansville, Indiana. She entered Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana in 1950 and made her Perpetual Monastic Profession in 1955. Sr. Renee was a founding member of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove, Indiana.

She graduated from Academy Immaculate Conception and went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from St. Benedict College and a Master’s Degree in the same area from Butler University. Sr. Renee expanded her education as she received degrees from Marquette University, IUPUI and the University of Indianapolis in the areas of Theology, English and Social Services respectfully. Sr. Renee taught and worked at various schools and churches in Indiana and Illinois. Those schools included: Christ the King, Indianapolis, St. Pius X, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Tell City, Our Lady of Grace Academy, Beech Grove, Mundelein, Chicago, Illinois, Immaculate High School, Chicago, Illinois, Carmel High School, Carmel, Mother Guerin High School, Chicago, Illinois, Beech Grove High School, Roncalli High School, Indianapolis, Nativity Church and School, Indianapolis, St. Theresa Church, Evansville, Indiana, St. Thomas Aquinas, Indianapolis and St. Paul Hermitage, Beech Grove.

After leaving the classroom, she was the Program Director at the Benedict Inn Retreat & Conference Center and went on to work in Social Services at St. Paul Hermitage. Throughout her monastic life, Sr. Renee served her Benedictine Community in various liturgical ministries including liturgical environment, organist, choir director, Schola director, and handbell choir director. She retired in 2014.

Sr. Renee was preceded in death by her parents and ten siblings. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and her religious community.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Grace Monastery on Monday, July 14th from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM. A wake service will be held at 7:00 PM in the Monastery Chapel. Her funeral Mass will be at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 15th with visitation from 2:00 PM until the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Sister’s Fund, c/o Sisters of St. Benedict, 1402 Southern Avenue, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107 or online at www.benedictine.com. Little & Sons Funeral Home, Beech Grove, are entrusted with the arrangements.