Sister Christine Marie of St. Joseph OCD

November 4, 1935 - December 11, 2021

Sister Christine Marie of St. Joseph, OCD, (Elizabeth Ann Bestler), 86, a member of the Carmelite Community, died December 11, 2021, at the Carmelite Monastery. Sister Christine Marie was born November 4, 1935 in Appleton, WI, daughter of the late Joseph and Loretta Bestler. She is survived by her sister, Lois DeGroot, her niece, Chris (Fran) Alberti, and nephews, Joe Quevillon and David (Suzzy) Quevillon. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Loretta Bestler and her brother, Father Joseph Bestler. Our dear Sister Christine Marie was one of the last vocations to enter our original Carmelite Monastery on “East B Street” on July 16, 1960. Full of energy and good will, Sister Christine was always ready to lend a hand or take on any task needing to be done—and there was much hard work in those early days of our Carmel's beginnings. With a determined twinkle in her eyes and her characteristic smile, she would meet every challenge or difficulty by simply stating with emphasis: "I'm German, you know!" Though quiet by nature, her sense of humor expressed in often spontaneous and unexpected ways, added much laughter and joy to our Community recreations. Sister Christine Marie made her First Profession of Vows on February 2, 1963 and her Solemn Vows three years later. Sister's total gift of self to the Lord was also a real gift to our Community. Not only did we appreciate her generous service in the kitchen, Altar Breads, and elsewhere, but even more so, the sincere spirit of charity that seemed to motivate everything she did. It was obvious that her love for the Church and our Community was but the outward expression of her deep love for Christ, her Spouse, as she lived out her Vows—her total consecration to Him—in prayer and sacrifice--day by day. While we will miss her simple, prayerful presence among us, we feel certain she will continue to assist us in so many humble, hidden ways, ever attentive to the needs of all. A Prayer Service will be conducted by our Chaplain, Father Eric Olson, on Thursday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at the Monastery Chapel by Most Reverend Bishop John Doerfler and Concelebrants, on Friday, December 17th. Due to the ongoing Covid circumstances, our Chapel is not yet re-opened to the public. Burial will be in the Carmelite Monastery Cemetery. Memorials or Masses may be offered to the Carmelite Monastery in lieu of flowers. The Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.