Sister Mary Valentina Danzler

Sister Mary Valentina (Theresia) Danzler of the School Sisters of St. Francis in Panhandle, Texas, died Tuesday, January 10.  Sister was born of Leopold and Theresia Binishofer Danzler on September 9, 1918 in Lichtenegg, Austria.  Sister is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Anton, Leopold, and Franz Danzler and her sisters Barbara Schuh, Anna Ostermann and Maria Ostermann.  She is survived by 21 nieces and nephews. Sister Valentina entered the Congregation of the School Sisters on March 1, 1935 in Vienna, Austria.  She was received into vows on September 7, 1937 and made final profession on August 11, 1943. Sister celebrated her golden jubilee with her beloved community in Panhandle in 1987 and also her 60th and 70th anniversaries of profession in successive years.   Sister Mary Valentina received a BS in Elementary Education and was a registered nurse.  Both skills came into play beautifully with the ministries to which God would call her!  She studied at St. Catherine's in Racine, Wisconsin and at St. Francis Hospital in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.  Sister taught in Trenton, New Jersey, Independence, Iowa, Maximo, Ohio, and in Youngstown, Ohio. When Sister arrived in Texas, she was given the ministry which would become closest to her heart.  The Gordon Memorial Children's Home was established in Panhandle and Sister Valentina served as administrator of the Home from 1955 - 1986.  Sister loved and nurtured hundreds of children in these years, becoming to many the mother that they needed.  With her firm and loving hand, her joyful yet quiet demeanor, Sister guided the scores of young people who passed through Panhandle, each leaving with the knowledge that someone loved them and wanted the best for their futures.  She worked with many troubled youngsters and teenagers, making sure that they knew that God loved them and was always there for them. Many of these "children" still return to check on their mentor. Sister Valentina used those same techniques in her community when she served on the Regional Council from 1968 - 1986 and as Regional Superior from 1986 - 1992.  She served as Novice Mistress even after her diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease slowed her activities.  As Sister's illness progressed, she was still a rock of fortitude and counsel within the community and beloved by all her Sisters. Sister Valentina was a member of the honor sorority Delta Kappa Gamma. Rosary will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Panhandle Thursday evening at 7:30 and the funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 friday morning at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Panhandle with Bishop Patrick Zurek presiding and Father Tony Neusch concelebrating

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