Obituary of Sr. M. Lauren Wiegman, OSF

Sister M. Lauren Wiegman, OSF (1935 – 2021) died at Wexner Medical Center East in Columbus, Ohio on February 17, 2021.  She was the daughter of the late Helen Rizer and Donald Wiegman of Mansfield, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Richard and her sisters Donna and Rose Mary.  She is survived by her brother Lawrence and sisters, Janet (Thomas) Boeckman and H. Catherine (Philip) Hawk. Sister Lauren was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet for 70 years.

Sister Lauren was born in Barberton, Ohio and was raised in Mansfield, Ohio.  She was a member of St. Peter Parish in Mansfield and attended the grade school and freshman year at the parish high school.    She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of St. Francis (University of St. Francis). She received a Master of Education Degree from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois and a certificate as a Reading Specialist from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.  She was certified in accounting from Columbus State in Columbus, Ohio. 

Sister Lauren ministered in the field of education as both an educator and an administrator for 50 of her 65 years of ministry.  She began her education career teaching and also serving as principal in elementary schools in Illinois and Alabama. From 1957 – 1958 she taught Grade 7 at St. John the Baptist in Joliet and from 1959 – 1961 she taught Grade 8 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet.  She also served as a teacher and counselor at high schools before becoming a clinician in reading and math. She ministered for ten years as an accountant in Columbus and her final years were spent as a private tutor in Worthington, Ohio.  

Due to the restrictions of the COVID virus, there will be no wake for Sister Lauren. She will be interred in the Congregation’s plot at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville, IL.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Sister Lauren at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home in Joliet at a future date. 

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL  60435.  Funeral Arrangements for Sr. M. Lauren Weigman were held privately by Fred C. Dames Funeral Home. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com