Milwaukee South News

Sister Barbaralie Stiefermann, known for her long service and varied career in religious life, is marking 75 years of consecrated life. Her journey has included roles as a teacher, musician, principal, campus minister, art gallery director, and writer.

“I’ve had such a diversity of careers, which has been really interesting,” Sister Barbaralie said. “I’ve loved the variety – it’s been so exciting!”

Growing up on a farm in Frankenstein near Jefferson City, Missouri, she attended a Catholic school that became public but continued to be staffed by nuns. She recalled the impact those teachers had: “Having the sisters as teachers was the best thing that happened to our town. The sisters were all young and energetic, and they had to meet the state’s standards, so they were the smartest and the best. They instilled in us an understanding of how important an education is, and their sense of community is what attracted me to religious life.”

At age 14 she moved to Milwaukee for high school at the motherhouse and joined the School Sisters community four years later. While studying music at Alverno College in 1952, she was asked on short notice to teach first grade at Holy Redeemer School due to a staffing emergency.

“Holy Redeemer School was short one teacher, and in desperation, Mother Corona turned to me. It was the night before the first day of school!” she remembered.

She began teaching with no experience for 48 first graders and later taught at St. Irene School in Warrenville, Illinois—sometimes without basic classroom supplies. “It was a brand-new school, and the parish had not yet ordered books or desks! For a whole month, the first graders and I spent the school day sitting on the floor! It became a dynamic school, but I worked my tail off there for many years.”

Her ministry included two decades as educator and administrator in Chicago-area schools before serving as campus minister at Northern Illinois University during challenging times.

“There were people from all over the world there, and that was wonderful because it really opened my mind,” she said about her university work amid early AIDS crisis challenges. “Students would come to me and say ‘I’m dying but don’t tell anyone.’” She added that if given another chance she would return to campus ministry.

She also taught communication skills at an Arizona career college where students were encouraged by messages like “Are you dressed for success?” posted near mirrors—a setting where she learned about corporate culture.

Later she directed an art gallery for more than a decade: “Who goes to work every day with a smile on their face? I did because I was surrounded by beauty and tranquility.”

After participating in a retreat Sister Barbaralie focused on writing biographies of past leaders within her order—including research trips across Wisconsin—and produced several well-regarded books including memoirs.

Now retired at age 93 she reflects on her experiences: “I now can spend time looking in a different way at my life and the lives of people I’ve touched—and still touch,” she said. “This is a time when I can look deeper... It’s a wonderful time of life; I’m eager to see how I will continue to love interact and grow even in eternal life!”