Sister Michael (Isabella Helen) Friebe died on March 30, 2022 at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana. Sister Michael was born on March 16, 1922 in Smithville, Texas and was one of eight children of Herman F. and Othelia (Meuth) Friebe. Sister graduated from Smithfield High School in 1940 and entered the Daughters of Charity in St. Louis, Missouri in 1942.
After initial formation, Sister Michael was missioned to St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago to begin her education as a nurse. She then served as Head Nurse and Supervisor at Charity Hospital in New Orleans (1946-1951); Mary Helen Hospital in San Francisco (1951-1956); O’Connor Hospital, San Jose, California (1956-1958); the National Hansen’s Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana (1958-1964); Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas (1964-1967); and Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans (1967-1972). Sister received a BS in Nursing Education from Louisiana State University in New Orleans and a Chaplain/NACC Certificate and Clinical Pastoral Education from Providence St. Margaret Health Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and the U.S. Catholic Conference. In 1972, Sister Michael began her ministry in Pastoral Care and Chaplain Services at Hotel Dieu Hospital, New Orleans (1972-1976), Providence/St. Margaret Hospital, Kansas City (1976), St. Paul Medical Center, Dallas (1976-1982 and 1993-2004), Seton Medical Center, Austin (1982-1983), and Providence Hospital, Waco, Texas (1983-1986). Sister also served as a volunteer at Providence Hospital, Waco (2004-2009). In 2009 Sister was missioned to Seton Residence to serve in the Ministry of Prayer.
Sister was preceded in death by her sisters Irene Lehman, Henrietta Beck, Edna Pallamallo and Josephine Kreitz; and her brothers, James, Eugene, and Alfred Friebe. She is survived by beloved nieces and nephews, her Sisters in Community, and many friends.
Sister’s Wake Service and Mass of Christian burial were held April 8 at the Seton Residence Chapel in Evansville; burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery.