Sister Louisa Dwyer, OSF, 76, of Clinton passed away Monday, January 30th, 2012 at The Alverno Health Care Facility. Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, February 4th, at 10:00 a.m. at The Canticle, Clinton, Iowa with Reverend David Brownfield presiding. Burial will take place in St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa. Visitation will occur Friday, February 3rd, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Canticle, with Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Scripture Service at 6:30 p.m. Pallbearers include her relatives, friends, and members of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa. Lemke Funeral Homes is assisting with the arrangements.
Sister Louisa Dwyer was born on February 23, 1935 in Maysville, Kentucky, the daughter of John Thomas and Ruth Alice (Meyer) Dwyer. She graduated from St. Patrick's, Maysville, Kentucky. She received an Associate of Arts degree from Mount St. Clare College, Clinton, Iowa; a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Marycrest College, Davenport, Iowa; a Master in Education degree from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Additionally, Sister Louisa attended Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky.
Sister Louisa held permanent professional teaching certificates in both Iowa and Kentucky.
Sister Louisa Dwyer joined the congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa on September 8, 1952 and made Final Vows on August 12, 1959.
Sister Louisa spent most of her active ministry teaching junior high and high school students, serving also as principal for 14 years. In Clinton, she taught at St. Patrick School 1962-64, and at St. Boniface/North Catholic the following eleven years. She also taught in Vail and Victor, Iowa. Her other missions included Rochelle and Oak Lawn, Illinois, as well as St. Patrick School, Maysville, Kentucky, where she served for 19 years. She also served the Sisters of St. Francis as General Secretary for four years, and as a General Councilor for four years. She moved to Mount St. Clare Convent in 1993, and served as congregational archivist until February 2004. She also served as activities assistant and part-time receptionist at The Alverno. For several years, she was a substitute teacher at Prince of Peace School in Clinton.
She moved to The Canticle in 1997, and retired in 2004, still continuing some substitute teaching at Prince of Peace.
Survivors in include: her sister, Margaret Ann Maddox and nephews, Robert and Kevin Maddox and niece, Julie Pfeffer.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

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