Sister Mary Gemma Gallus, 96, died on March 24, 2009, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Francis Convent on Monday, March 30, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at St. Francis Convent on Sunday, March 29, from 4 - 8:30 p.m. and from 8:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral on Monday, March 30.  A wake service will be held at the Convent at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 29. Arrangements are by the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls.

Sister Mary Gemma Gallus was born on April 17, 1912, Bowlus, Minn. She was the sixth of 11 children born to the late Frank and Bertha (Mucha) Gallus. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on August 12, 1939. She made first profession of vows on August 12, 1941, and final vows on August 12, 1944. She was a Franciscan Sister for 69 years.

Sister Gemma taught in rural elementary schools in Morrison County for 17 years before she entered the convent. In the convent she continued in the teaching ministry and later in life was a Legion of Mary Spiritual Director. She served in St. Cloud, Browns Valley, Osakis, Elk River, Flensburg, Alexandria, Little Falls, Waite Park and St. Michael. Her last seven years of teaching became a part-time job as she moved into pastoral ministry in Waite Park. She retired in 1994.

Sister Gemma was preceded in death by siblings: Frances Schwientek, Peter, George, Mary Walek, William, Frank, John and Joseph. Survivors include siblings: Helen Hageman, Mounds View and Alois, Little Falls; Sisters-in-law, Helen Gallus, St. Anthony; and Dolores Eide, Maplewood; many nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Community.

Donations to Franciscan Sisters Ministries preferred.