Sister Dolores Wagner
She was born Betty Wagner on August 12, 1924, in Wallace, Michigan, to Fred and Minerva Wagner. Sister grew up in Marinette, WI, and joined the Holy Cross Sisters in Merrill on February 26, 1948, after participating in a retreat in Oshkosh, WI. Sister celebrated her First Profession on January 15, 1951. She attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Oshkosh, WI, earned a BSN from Marquette University, Milwaukee, and an MSN from the University of Pennsylvania.
Asked if there was any one event or ministry that she participated in that gave her special satisfaction, she replied, “Passage of state boards by student nurses; teaching English as a second language; reducing the fear in new expectant mothers.”
Sister Dolores believes that the most fulfilling aspect of her life was becoming a clinical specialist “in order to give better patient care.”
Sister was staff nurse at Holy Cross Hospital, Merrill; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dickinson, ND; St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese, IL; and Director of Nursing Services, Breese, IL. Later she became a nursing instructor and taught at Kaskaskia College, Centralia, IL; St. Cloud School of Nursing, St. Cloud, MN; the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh; Northeast WI Tech Institute, Green Bay. Sister was also involved with the Literacy Council, Bay Area Genealogical Society and New Community Clinic in Green Bay. Since moving to Merrill in 2005, she has taught English as a second language, served as house coordinator for the sisters’ housing, and volunteers her services at the Free Clinic and as a driver to appointments for sisters in the community. She also serves as sacristan for Holy Cross Chapel.
Sister lists among her special interests/hobbies; genealogy, history and quilting.
