Sister Agnes Zich, 98, Sister of Mercy of the Holy Cross, died Sunday, April 22, 2012, at Bell Tower Residence, under the care of the staff at Bell Tower Residence and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services, Merrill.
Sister Agnes was born Feb. 5, 1914, in Vsetin, Czechoslovakia, daughter of the late John and Magdeline (Kocurek) Zich. The family moved to Mott, North Dakota in 1920. She entered Holy Cross Convent in Merrill on Aug. 1, 1931, and celebrated her First Profession on June 24, 1935. She was in her 76th year of ministry as a Holy Cross Sister.
Sister Agnes, also known as Sister Irene, received her education at Mundeline College; Dayton University; Athenaeum of Ohio and Catholic University, Washington.
She spent the majority of her ministry as an elementary teacher. Her teaching assignments took her to Deer Park, Ohio; Haymarsh, North Dakota; Fenton, Missouri; Rhinelander and Antigo, Wisconsin. She later taught religious education in Hahnville and Vacherie, Louisiana and Merrill, Wisconsin. Sister also worked in pastoral ministry in Antigo, Wisconsin, helping in the parish and bringing communion to the homebound. Sister retired in 1992 and made her home at Bell Tower Residence Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin.
Sister Agnes is survived by her family of Holy Cross Sisters and Associates; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Rose Magelky, twin sister Mary Franchuk, brothers Joe and John.
Sister was the oldest living sister in the USA Province. She loved doing crafts and received many awards for her work. She enjoyed working on puzzles.
The Mass of Resurrection was held Wednesday, April 25, in Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, with Father Dan Crosby officiating. Burial is in St. Francis Cemetery, Merrill.
Memorials can be made to Bell Tower Residence and sent to: Holy Cross Sisters, 1400 O’Day Street, Merrill, WI 54452.