Sister Mary Hope Bergemann, O.P.

Sister Mary Hope Bergemann, O.P., 90, passed away at Lakeshore Manor, Racine on Friday, October 31, 2014.

Louise Bernadine was born on August 26, 1924, to Frank T. and Bernadine (nee: Gement) Bergemann in Racine, WI. On February 1, 1946, she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in August 1946 she was given the religious name Sister Mary Hope. She professed her first vows in 1948 and her final vows in 1954.

Sister Mary Hope spent many years in service to others in teaching. She began her ministry in 1947 at St. Joseph, Racine. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Bernard, Madison; Holy Name, St. Rita and Racine Montessori School, Racine; St. Benedict, Milwaukee; St. Norbert, Roxbury; St. Mary, Janesville; St. Mary, Tomah; and St. Aloysius, Sauk City. She also served in Michigan. After she became a resident at Siena Center in 1996 she continued to serve the Community as a switchboard operator. In July 2011 she moved to Lakeshore Manor, Racine.

Sister Mary Hope is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her sister Agnes LaBrasca; her sister-in-law Jeanne Bergemann; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her brothers, Ferdinand, Matthew, Francis, Leonard, Bernard, Clarence, Raymond, Joseph and Walter; and sisters, Marianne Niesen and Sister Mary Faith, CSA.

Visitation will be in the Siena Center Chapel on Monday, November 3, beginning at 9 a. m. with a Remembering Service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10.30 a.m.. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the staff who cared for Sister Mary Hope at Lakeshore Manor.

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI    (262) 634-7888