Age 92
Sister Mary Kurt was well-respected and well-loved by all, not only for her excellent teaching but her love of children and her capacity for joy.
A graduate of Mount Mercy Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sister Mary entered the Sisters of Mercy shortly after high school graduation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
For fifty years she taught elementary school in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa. A gift to many children and families, Sister Mary was also generous and compassionate. When she taught in Oelwein, Iowa, she became aware of a family who was very poor and needed assistance and she provided them with home-cooked meals.
Mary was a positive, fun-loving person with a contagious laugh and a great smile. An excellent cook and a proficient baker, she often made cakes and cookies to share. She is also credited for introducing the sisters to monkey bread, a community favorite.