Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Roberta Balensiefer OSF

June 28, 1916 - June 11, 1996

South Bend Tribune 6/11/1996

MISHAWAKA - Sister M. Roberta Balenseifer, OSF, 79, of Our Lady of Angeles, St. Francis Convent, died at 4 a.m. today in St. Joseph Community Hospital. Sister M. Roberta was born June 28, 1916, as Leona Balensiefer.

She entered the convent on Aug. 14, 1933, and received her Franciscan habit on June 29, 1934. She was assigned to teach in schools in Indiana, Louisiana and Michigan; her last mission was at St. Francis Convent where she was Sacristan, retiring in 1994. She is survived by five sisters, Mrs. Hershel Bryant of Granger, Mrs. H. Phelps of Williamsport, Ind., Millie Cook of Wisconsin, Marie Vaughan of Tucson, Ariz., and Theresa Rottler of Lafayette, Ind.; and four brothers, Frank of Alta Loma, Calif., Wayne and Larry, both of Tucson, and Ron of Brenham, Texas.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Francis Convent Chapel. Burial will be in St. Francis Convent Cemetery. A vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel. Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.