Benedictine Sr. “Maggie” Buergler, formerly of Columbia
Benedictine Sister Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Buergler, 86 — who for over four decades was a member of the Benedictine Community of the former Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Columbia — died on Aug. 6 at St. Mary Monastery in Rock Island, Illinois.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Aug. 11 in the St. Mary Monastery Chapel. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Rock Island.
“Sr. Maggie was prayerful and joyful, and now she is at peace in the Father’s home,” said Father Duane Jack, who presided at her Funeral Mass, in his homily.
Sr. Maggie was born on July 9, 1936, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, a daughter of Martin and Frances (Leding) Buergler.
She grew up near St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith and was taught by the Benedictine Sisters. Also, her uncle was a Benedictine priest, and an aunt was a Benedictine Sister.
Three of her brothers were priests of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas, and her parents were Benedictine Oblates of that abbey.
She entered the Benedictine Community at St. Scholastica Monastery in 1952 and made her profession as a Benedictine Sister on June 24, 1955.
She transferred her vows to Our Lady of Peace Monastery upon its establishment in 1969, and transferred upon its closure to St. Mary Monastery in 2010.
“Having Sr. Maggie live with us for 10 years was a blessing. It truly was,” said Benedictine Sister Susan Hutchens, prioress of St. Mary Monastery.
“Sr. Maggie had a keen sense of humor and loved to visit with people,” recalled Benedictine Sister Mary Jo Polak of Yankton, South Dakota, who with Sr. Maggie was a member of the Benedictine Community at Our Lady of Peace Monastery. “She had a heart for those underprivileged and the intellectually disabled.”
“Maggie was compassionate and a caring person,” noted Benedictine Sister Barbara Bock of Fort Smith, who had also been a member of the Columbia Benedictines with her.
Sr. Maggie held a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas; a master’s degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry, with a minor in Counseling, from Seattle University.
Her ministry included: teaching grades 1-6 in Arkansas and Missouri, including St. Pius X School in Moberly; teaching people with special needs from pre-school to adult in Missouri and Maryland; and serving in pastoral ministry in parishes while coordinating retreat ministry at the Columbia monastery.
“Imagine how many people have been influenced by this holy woman!” Fr. Jack stated in his homily at the funeral. “Because God called her to a variety of ministries, God also gave her countless talents, skills and gifts in order to accomplish what Jesus wanted her to accomplish.”
She was prayerful and joyful, the priest said, “and now she is at peace in the Father’s home.”
In 2005, upon celebrating her 50th anniversary as a Benedictine Sister, Sr. Maggie spoke of being filled with gratitude to God for countless blessings and graces.
“My gratitude extends to my family, my community and my friends who have blessed and supported me along the way with their presence, love and friendship,” she said at that time.
“My jubilee celebrates a journey of 50 years in the monastic way of life,” she continued. “It celebrates my YES that was spoken in the past: a YES that has brought me to this special moment in time; a YES that leads me into the unknown future.”
Surviving are her Benedictine Sisters; a brother, Bede, and sister-in-law, Maryann; sister-in-law, Betty Buergler; and nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and three brothers, Benedictine Father Luke Buergler, Benedictine Abbot Boniface Buergler, and Ben Buergler.
Her Funeral Mass was live-streamed and can be found on the Benedictine Sisters of St. Mary Monastery Facebook page.
Online condolences may be expressed at wheelanpressly.com.
