July 18, 2000. Lowell, Michigan.

Mother Ann Marie Kerper of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist died early this morning at St. Mary Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, at age 84. Mother Ann Marie made her final Transitus with the same spirit of deep faith and courage with which she had lived. She had been admitted to the hospital on Sunday, July 16th. When the physician told her that most likely she would not live very long, she, in the spirit of St. Francis, smiled and said she would look forward to going to her heavenly Father.

Mother Ann Marie Kerper entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1934. She served the Community as a teacher, administrator, supervisor of elementary schools, professor of education, and vocation director. She was elected as a member of the General Council from 1958 to 1964, during which time she assisted the Mother General and was appointed Vocation Director. In 1964 she was elected Mother General of the order. As Mother General, she initiated a Program of Comprehensive Renewal in response to Vatican II's mandate to religious orders to adapt to contemporary needs in a renewed spirit of their founders.

In 1973, Mother Ann Marie joined 54 other Sisters of the Wisconsin order as original, founding members of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, Meriden, Connecticut. She ministered in Blackfoot, Idaho, and Detroit, Michigan, and was the founding superior for the Shaw Island, Washington, and Rome, Italy centers. In 1998, she moved to the Lowell, Michigan center for reasons of health. There she founded and directed the Mature Christians Program of the Franciscan Life Process Center and was involved in fund raising for the needs of the order.

Funeral arrangements are pending.