Sister Roseria Slusarski OSF

Sister Roseria Slusarski was called to her heavenly home to be with our Lord on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 8:10 a.m. at Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center, while the Sisters were at Morning Praise. Sister Roseria had been diagnosed with a chronic immune disease which challenged her activities of daily living.

Sister Roseria (Mary Rita) was born in Duncan, Nebraska on March 14, 1935, to John and Mary (Maslonka). She was the 10th in a family of 11 children. Preceding Sister in death were her brothers Ted, Rudy, Lonnie and Ed and sisters Emilia, Cecila and Stephanie. She is survived by her brothers Marion, John and Francis in addition to many nephews, nieces, grand and great-grandnephews and nieces.

Sister Roseria grew up on a farm near Duncan, NE. They were a close family in which she was taught to live her Catholic faith and was proud of her Polish heritage. She attended St. Stanislaus School from 1st through 8th grade and was taught by our Sisters. Following her vocational call she attended St. Joseph Convent High School in Denver, Colorado. On August 12, 1951, Sister entered our Franciscan Community and made final vows on August 12, 1958. Sister’s ministry was education. She received her BS in Education from the University of Albuquerque and pursued post graduate studies in Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, New Mexico and Nebraska. Sister taught elementary and junior high students for 55 years in Colorado, New Mexico and Nebraska. She loved and challenged her students, and shared many experiences she had while teaching.

Sister loved family reunions and when she went home for her vacation, she always seemed to get her brothers to plan a reunion at the parish hall. Family gathering included a Polish polka band along with homemade food, socializing and dancing.

She retired from teaching and came to the Mount in October of 2011. Her ministry at the Motherhouse was librarian from 2011–2017. Here she put her artistic abilities to use. The library was her classroom. She loved her Franciscan Community and was faithful to her prayer life, meals and interacting with the Sisters. She helped wherever she could whether arranging flowers for the dining room or chapel, doing kitchen duty or assisting with mailings.

Sister was transferred to St. Francis Nursing Center on December 8, 2021. Here she continued her ministry of prayer and presence. The rosary was her favorite prayer. She often prayed several rosaries a day as she had many intentions that needed prayer.

The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on March 20, 2024 at 10:30 am in Saint Francis of Assisi Church followed by burial in Mount Saint Francis Cemetery.