Sister Mary Ellen (Elizabeth) Dinndorf, 86, died on March 13, 2010, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Francis Convent on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at St. Francis Convent on Tuesday, March 16, from 4 - 8:30 p.m. and from 8 a.m. until the time of the funeral on Wednesday, March 17.  A wake service will be held at the Convent at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16.

Arrangements are by the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls.

Elizabeth Dinndorf was born on February 6, 1924, in Richmond, Minn.  She was the second of six children born to the late Ludwig (Louis) and Clara (Brandtner) Dinndorf. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on August 12, 1946. She made first profession on August 12, 1948, and final vows on August 12, 1951. She was a Franciscan Sister for 63 years.

Sister Mary Ellen ministered as a hospital administrator, past member  of the  leadership team  and treasurer  of the Franciscan Sisters,  acting president of Franciscan Sisters Health Care, Incorporated. She served in Milwaukee and Dodgeville, Wis.; St. Cloud, Sauk Centre, Little Falls and Albany, Minn.

Sister was preceded in death by her sisters Florence Dinndorf and Mary Ann Maiers. Survivors include: Catherine Blommer, Durham, North Carolina; Harold, (Adeline) Albany; Louis (Joyce), Sauk Rapids; many nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Community.

Donations to Franciscan Sisters Ministries preferred.

                                                by Associate Faby Albán

I am a teacher of Natural Sciences of students during their 10th year, in basic education. I have worked for 39 years in the "Colegio Nacional Andrés Bello." Education in Ecuador is divided into three periods: Seven years of early education in elementary school, three years of basic education in secondary school and three years of high school with specialization in: Social Sciences, Chemical Biology, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Computer Science, Commerce and Accounting, and Tourism. In some schools there is only one bachelor's degree in common, which is trying to be implemented in all schools.

Public education in Ecuador is free, inclusive (give opportunities to everyone) and secular (respects all religious faiths). Nowadays, the government gives uniforms to students at primary school and free books in secondary school. Recently it has included subjects such as computer education, sexual education, national reality, driver education and pre-military education. Education could be improved by increasing training in values and principles, preparing teachers for all levels of students and even integrating parents into the educational process.

Within the educational institutions there is no organization for teachers, since the authorities have all the power as directors and managers, and they change with each new government. Someone with a bachelor's degree enters as a public teacher in the "fifth category." Every four years he or she could move up to another category, thereby increasing 5% in income. There are 10 steps. A teacher of fifth category earns US$ 333.33 in the urban area and US$ 385.46 in rural areas. Wage increases are not dependent on performance, but years of service.

We Morris Franciscan Associates have met together for many years. We usually meet once a month in our homes. We begin with prayer, then read and discuss spiritual readings. Our group's commitment statement is to embrace the marginalized. Twice a year we host a brunch for our parish. The free will offering is used to finance the travel of a Spanish-speaking priest to come monthly to celebrate Mass with the Hispanics in the community. Personally, we embrace the marginalized in many ways. Sister Shirley Mueller from So. Dak. usually attends our monthly meetings. Her support and attendance are an inspiration to us. We belong to the West Central Region that meets in Alexandria, Minn. We truly look forward to these informative meetings. It is always a joy to see and visit with other members of our Region.

Dorothy Chizek: After graduating from college I taught school for 5 ½ years. I stopped teaching after I was married, to raise my family of three children. After my husband died 29 years ago, I worked with the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. I administered this program in two counties. I retired from this position 12 years ago. I enjoy volunteer work. I do a lot of things in my parish. I am an ombudsman in an area nursing home. I also teach religion at the Day Activity Center for people with disabilities. I am a Befriender, so I visit the elderly who cannot get away from their homes. I truly enjoy being with my family. The grandchildren and great grandchildren are an immense joy. My hobby for years has been braiding reversible wool rugs. I have made well over 100 rugs. I also love to read and to play bridge.

Fran Marks: I am a retired business teacher. I taught school for 28 years. My husband passed away in 1972. I have three children and three grandchildren. I assisted in the parish office for years, whenever they called for help. I no longer drive, so I am unable to do many of the things I used to do. The retired teachers have coffee together, and I enjoy attending those gatherings. I like to play cards and visit with people. I really enjoy helping with the Hispanic community in our parish.

Barry and Susan Hennen: Barry and Susan became Franciscan Associates on September 27, 1997. As associates they have been on a wonderful journey with St. Francis and his followers. Susan is a teacher, and Barry is a retired farmer who continues to assist his sons as they now farm the land. In addition, Barry has a painting and yard care business. Barry and Susan are passionate about their family and God's creation. In their spare time, they enjoy spending time with their six children and their families. Like St. Francis, they also enjoy spending time with nature. Their favorite places to do so are along the North Shore of Lake Superior and many of Minnesota's state parks. Barry and Susan try to emulate the simple and peaceful life of Saints Francis and Clare.

Dorothy Sayre: I have been a Franciscan Associate for six years. My husband Larry and I live in Morris and have three grown children and two grandchildren. Many of you prayed for our son Ryan when he was in Afghanistan in 2006. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! I have a day care business in my home. I love going to work every day because I am loved "unconditionally" by some pretty amazing children. My husband is a County Commissioner and has an appraisal business. I have a passion for the unborn and, over the years, have enjoyed volunteering at our local pregnancy center. I enjoy our monthly associate gatherings, and the fellowship we share as a group is always fun. As we journey together and learn more of Sts. Francis and Clare, I am personally challenged to look within my own heart to become more like them and my fellow associates. The sense of community within our associate group is wonderful to experience.

Jadzia Olson: I was born in Poland and came to the United States at the age of 12 to live with my aunt and uncle. I have four grown children and three grandchildren. I love my family and enjoy spending time with them. I work fulltime as a cosmetologist in a salon in Morris. I serve as a Eucharistic minister and adult altar server at my parish. My outreach involvement is helping out with the Spanish Mass in our parish and the fellowship following the Mass. It is a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Hispanic brothers and sisters in our community and make them feel welcome. Building this bond is very rewarding.

Joanne Hagstrom:

What a great way to usher in the month of February, 2010.   Sister Ange Mayers arrived from Pisinemo, Arizona to begin life at the Franciscan Welcoming House in St. Cloud  on February 1.   This was a trip in faith for this New Munich native, having just spent about 15 ½  years ministering with a parish team at the San Solano Missions on the O'odham Nation Indian Reservation in southern Arizona.   Sister Ange comes to our St. Cloud Franciscan community as a woman of faith, deeply imbued with the Franciscan spirit of simplicity, prayer and joy.  We welcome Sister Ange and pray for her as she makes her transition from warm air to frigid temperatures.  Through it all, she brings us the love and goodness of a person shaped and grounded in God's love.  Sister Ange will work with the Franciscan Welcoming House in ministry to young adults.  She joins in Franciscan Community living with Sisters Clara Stang, Loretta Denfeld and Cordy Korkowski along with Franciscan Community Volunteers, Will Braun, Spencer Buchert, Alicia Landale and Caitlin Tobin.  We are deeply grateful to Sister Ange for saying ‘yes' to our request to have her join us at the Franciscan Welcoming House. 

Sister Cordy Korkowski