Sister Helen Maurer, 100, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand died at 6:55 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at the monastery.
She was born on May 5, 1921, in Haubstadt, the fifth of seven children of Theodore and Theresa (Hoefling) Maurer. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1937 from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and made her monastic vows in 1939 as Sister Mary Pierre, later changing back to her given name.
Sister Helen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from St. Benedict College and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Butler University. She also earned her Doctorate in Voice Pedagogy from Indiana University.
She taught music in Evansville at St. Benedict School and Mater Dei High School, and at Christ the King School in Indianapolis. She also taught music in Ferdinand at the Academy Immaculate Conception (where she also taught Latin), Marian Heights Academy, and St. Benedict College, also serving as choir instructor at the latter. In addition, she was a Music Instructor at Grambling State University in Louisiana.
Sister Helen served in the Music Ministry at the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand as Organist and as Music Instructor for students in Ferdinand and Tell City. She also served as Liturgist. She most recently served in Prayer Ministry at Hildegard Health Center in Ferdinand.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lillian (Schmitt) Maurer; nieces and nephews; and her religious community.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Esther Marie Will and her husband Leo, Verena Will and her husband Alphonse, Ruth Ann Schmitt and her husband Elmer, and Rosemary Maier and her husband Virgil; and her brothers, Vincent and William Maurer.
A funeral mass for Sister Helen Maurer will be held Friday, September 3, with burial in the monastic cemetery following the service. The service is private for family and the monastic community. Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand will handle the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
