Sister Teresa Buchheit, FSE Dies in Lowell, Michigan

May 13, 2001. Lowell, Michigan.

Sister Teresa Buchheit, FSE, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, died early this morning in Lowell, Michigan. She was born on June 23, 1913, in Festina, Iowa, to Anthony and Mary Buchheit. She graduated from Lady of Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, Minnesota. She entered Religious Life in 1942 and made her First Vows in 1945 in the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Having received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wisconsin, she continued with educational opportunities during summer sessions at Gonzaga University, Mount Mary College, Marquette University and Catholic University. For 37 years she taught in elementary schools in Wisconsin, Idaho, Iowa and Oregon.

In 1973 she became a founding member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. In 1983 she came to the Franciscan Life Process Center, Lowell, Michigan, and for eleven years she met and served people in the coffee shop of Franciscan Heritage Foods in Ada until it closed in 1994. She also worked as a volunteer for Project Rachel of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and participated in numerous volunteer projects at the Franciscan Life Process Center. She was known for her contemplative spirit and her love of nature particularly the stars and planets, flowers and especially roses.

Sister Teresa is survived by her Community, the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, a sister, Aurelia O'Brien of Waterloo, Iowa, and a brother, Mark Buchheit of West Union, Iowa, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Richard, Florian, Reverend Urban, Remigius and Norbert, and six Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

The Vigil will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Franciscan Life Process Center at 11650 Downes Street, Lowell, on Wednesday, May 16th. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 5:00 p.m.

Sister Patricia Glass, FSE, Funeral Director and Embalmer, Meriden, Connecticut, and Roth-Gerst of Lowell are in charge of funeral arrangements.