Sister Winifred Moersen, OSF

Sister Winifred Moersen died peacefully at the age of 97 on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. at Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center. The cause of death was functional decline.

Sister Winifred Elaine Moersen, the sixth of seven children, was born in Columbus, NE. on August 6, 1927, to William J. and Helen C. (Krick) Moersen. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Helen, brothers Wendell, Mark and Kenneth and sisters Angela, Geraldine and Camilla. She is survived by many nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

She entered our Congregation in Denver, Colorado on August 11, 1945. On August 12, 1946, she received the Franciscan habit and the religious name of Sister Winifred. She made her final vows on August 17, 1953.

Sister received her BS degree in music from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, TX. and her MS degree in Music from De Paul University in Chicago, IL.

For her entire life, Sister ministered as a music teacher in both elementary and secondary schools in Nebraska, New Mexico and Colorado. She was an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico for twenty-two years and served as organist in churches in Gallup, NM., and Columbus, NE. After the closing of the University of Albuquerque in 1986 she was assigned organist at the Provincialate in Colorado Springs until the time of her death.

Sister came to Colorado Springs where she shared her talents as an organist and taught piano lessons to the children in the neighborhood. In her own quiet way, Sister would assist wherever she could – driving the Sisters to appointments, assisting in the Dining Room and wherever needed. This past February she requested moving to the Nursing Center where she peacefully went to her eternal reward.

The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church followed by burial in the Mount Saint Francis Cemetery.