Sister Mary Hildegarde Heiss

Sister Mary Hildegarde Heiss, 100, of Independence, Mo., died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004. She was born on March 6, 1903, in Wurtemberg, Germany, to Martin and Maria (Marquart) Heiss.

She was a member of the Sisters of Saint Francis of the Holy Eucharist. She taught from 1929 to 1976 at Nevada, Higginsville, Lexington, Tipton, Germantown, Martinsville, Montrose, Warrensburg, St. Francis Academy, Cottey College and Donnelly College. In 1980 she came out of retirement to teach German and Spanish at St. John LaLande. She was a member of the Legion of Mary serving as secretary for many years. In her second retirement she cared for several elderly sisters.

She was preceded in death by all nine of her siblings, including, Fr. Franz Heiss, Fr. Joseph Heiss, Sister Mary Theresa Heiss, OSF, and Sister Laurencia Heiss, OP.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel, Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Eucharist in Independence, Mo. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the chapel. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Nevada, Mo. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sisters of St. Francis. Online condolences may be left at www.speakschapel.com. Arrangements by Speaks Suburban Chapel.