The Advertiser-Tribune
Sister Marie Catherine Wise, R.S.M., died suddenly but peacefully Monday, Aug. 22, 2016, at St. Bernard Home in Fremont. A Sister of Mercy for 69 years, Sister was 84 years old.

Sister Marie Catherine was born in Tiffin to Henry and Loretta (Roth) Wise. One of 12 children, she and her siblings learned from their parents a love of family and a love of their faith. St. Mary's, Tiffin, was a center for their spiritual life and devotions.

At a young age, Sister experienced a call to religious life. With her parents' permission, she entered Our Lady of the Pines Aspirant School (a high school staffed by Sisters of Mercy for young women interested in pursuing a religious vocation) and after completing high school Sister Marie Catherine entered Sisters of Mercy Sept. 7, 1947, in Cincinnati. Her final vows were professed in 1953.

Sister Marie Catherine always wanted to be a nurse, and after making first vows she began classes to become a registered nurse. She graduated from Mercy School of Nursing (now Mercy College of Ohio) Toledo, in 1953. This led to many years of caregiving and service at Mercy hospitals in Toledo, Tiffin, Hamilton, Springfield, Oregon and Lima. Her assignments included operating nurse, emergency room nurse, pediatric supervisor and nursing services supervisor. From 1986-1993, Sister Marie Catherine served as president and CEO of Mercy Hospital Tiffin. She continued her career and served as housing manager for Charles Meadow, a low-cost housing complex for the elderly, from 1994-2005.

In 2008, Sister moved to St. Bernardine Home. Although retired from active ministry, Sister Marie Catherine continued to help others giving of her time and talents especially sewing. Her prayers included the needs of her community, her family and national and world concerns.

Sister Marie Catherine is survived by her religious community, the Sisters of Mercy; her sister, Alma Wurm; sisters-in-law, Doris Wise, Barbara Wise and Mary Wise; brother-in-law, James Clouse; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bernard, Ambrose, Louis, James and Luke; and sisters, Kathleen, Henrietta, Adaline Heitz, Margaret Kimmet and Imelda Clouse.

Visitation is 3-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016, at St. Bernardine Home.

There will be an additional visitation until 4 p.m., the time of the funeral Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, at St. Bernardine Home followed by burial in Our Lady of the Pines Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.kkchud.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Keller-Koch-Chudzinski Funeral Home, Fremont.