Sister Magdalen Marie Buehler
December 4, 1945 – December 16, 2023
Loretta Jean Buehler was born to Emil William Buehler and Magdalene Mattes Buehler on December 4, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, their first child. By the time she was seven, the family had increased by three boys, and later a fourth was born. When her first school year was over, they moved to Round Lake, Illinois, where she attended St. Joseph School, taught by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She wrote that, “Though I had never had the Notre Dames as teachers in grade school, I knew the ones at my grandmother’s parish in Turkey Creek. When we used to visit her, I always went to see the Sisters. They always seemed so happy!”
After grade school, Loretta attended the local public high school for a year. After that, she entered the Aspiranture in Mequon, Wisconsin, and later entered the Postulate there. She was received into the novitiate on July 13, 1964, where she received the name of Magdalen Marie.
Maggie received her B.A. at Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a major in elementary education and a minor in math, in 1970. She received an M.S. in Education with a minor in Reading at North Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1976.
Maggie taught math and reading in many schools, and eventually became a specialist in teaching reading to students who were struggling. Her ministries included St. Constance, Chicago; St. Patrick, Galena; St. Mary, DeKalb; St. John de la Salle, Chicago; St. Pius X, Stickney; the Academy of our Lady, Chicago; St. Margaret of Scotland, Chicago; and St. Joachim, Chicago, all in Illinois. “With a slower pace and persistent work, I have seen a lot of formerly unsure children be able to read and do math.”
“All the while, the new Province (DeKalb/Chicago) continued to grow. Working with other Sisters on various task committees and Renewal weekends have buoyed my spirit. Since we are so small and geographically close, bonding was easier. Also having lived in large and small communities in various locations in the Province helped to create bonds. I prefer living in a small community with possibilities for other bonding groups for various activities.
Maggie attended the Jubilee program in Rome in 1990 and enjoyed the experience there and in Germany.
In 1998, Maggie served on the staff at the Generalate in Rome.
From 1999 to 2021, Maggie worked in Special Education at various Illinois schools and institutes. She retired in 2021 and moved to Marian Village in Homer Glen, Illinois in 2023. She died at Resurrection Life Medical Center on December 16, 2023.
Sister Magdalen Marie Buehler’s funeral was held on Saturday, January 27, at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Marian Village. Internment was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip.
By Charlaine Fill, SSND
