“In his exceeding love with which he has loved, God sent his Son in the form of mortal flesh.”

The Biography for Sr. M. Hermtrud

Sister M. Hermtrud was born on December 4, 1930, in Oberhannsdorf in the Glatz district of Silesia, the second child of Paul and Hedwig Klinke. With her sister Elisabeth, who was two years older than her, she initially enjoyed a carefree childhood and attended the Catholic elementary school in Oberhannsdorf from the ages of seven to fourteen. She remained on the family farm until she was fifteen, helping her father with the farming, as her mother had died in 1942. In 1946, at just sixteen years of age, she was forced to leave her homeland, accompanied by her aunt, her father’s sister. She first went to live with a farmer in the Beerlage region near Coesfeld, and after three years, she followed her sister Elisabeth to Maria Veen, where she met our sisters. There, as she herself writes, she received training in cooking and home economics. Long after the expulsion, our sister M. Hermtrud sought contact with her hometown and was finally able to visit her beloved homeland again. She cultivated and maintained these friendships and connections for a long time.

She entered our congregation on August 4, 1953, and made her perpetual profession in 1959. Within the community, Sister M. Hermtrud worked in the kitchens of many communities. A certificate attests to her great interest in the kitchen. Many of us still knew and appreciated her cooking and housekeeping skills. She was happy to be sent and was always ready to go wherever she was needed. She spoke vividly about her many community experiences. No matter where she was, whether in Germany or in the United States.

Such as Bad Lippspringe, Bigge, Viersen, Schwerte, Bürvenich, our mother house, Marienau in Heppenschwand, to name just a few, or in the big wide world, such as Caransebes in Romania or the Generalate in Rome. Everywhere she cooked with love and made life delicious for her fellow sisters and guests. The people entrusted to her care always had a good time in her presence. Even as a young sister, she must have developed a loving way with her staff. Her sisters describe her as courteous and helpful. Many of us remember the courtesies she always gave to people with a great deal of humor. “If I were you, I’d check your mailbox; I think someone is thinking of you,” or something similar, she would say to us when we received mail or other things. And I can still hear her mischievous laugh. Right up until old age, she enjoyed going into town, always occupied with the well-being of our sisters in mind.

In 2023, she celebrated her 70th anniversary in the Congregation, which filled her with deep joy and gratitude.

In September 2024, her physical strength began to decline, so she moved from the Motherhouse to St. Gertrud living area of our St. Clara nursing home. There, too, she quickly settled in and amazed the sisters and staff with her wonderful sense of humor.

At the beginning of this year, she had to say goodbye to her sister, Sr. M. Elisabetha. Despite her own poor health, she insisted on attending the funeral. This deeply moved us all. Now the two sisters are reunited, and we are certain that our sister, Sr. M. Hermtrud, now sees forever, the exceeding love of God with which He loves us all .

Written by Sr. M. Johanna Harke