Sister Martha Herzog, O.S.B., 1914-2008

Sister Martha Herzog

Sister Martha Herzog, OSB, 94, a resident of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, died Friday October 31, 2008 at the Monastery.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday, at St. Mary Monastery Chapel.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island.  Visitation will be 4-7 pm Monday at the Monastery, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:00 pm.  Memorials may be made to St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan is assisting with the arrangements. 

Sister Martha (Frances) was born March 14, 1914 in Peoria, IL the daughter of Frank and Josephine (O’Gorman) Herzog.  She attended St. Boniface Grade School, Peoria, IL and Manuel High School, Peoria, IL.  Sister Martha entered the Benedictine Community on September 7, 1933 and made her first profession as a Benedictine Sister on July 22, 1935. 

Sister Martha’s ministry included work in food service, housekeeping, guest services and as assistant procurator at St. Mary Monastery, supervision of the dining room and hot lunch program at St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo; service at St. Mary’s in Wenona and St. Joseph’s in Ivesdale; work with refugee families from Slovenia and Vietnam and creation of over 600 baby quilts. 

Survivors include her Benedictine Sisters and many cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents and several cousins.