Leona Lietz, born October 6, 1916 in Mosinee, Wisconsin, diocese of La Crosse, was the daughter of John and Gamila (Yirkovsky) Lietz. She entered the Congregation August 30, 1941, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was received into the novitiate August 12, 1942, and was given the religious name Monica. She made her first vows August 13, 1943, and her final vows on August 13, 1949, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sister Monica studied at our nursing school in Wausau, St. Mary's, graduating in 1937. It was there she met Sister Olympia Heuel who encouraged her to consider a religious vocation. Sister Monica wrote later: "As a registered nurse, I entered God's army instead of the military army of World War II." After entrance, she went to Marquette University, Milwaukee, receiving her bachelor's degree in nursing education (magna cum laude) in 1945. In 1947, she received a master's degree in the same area from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

From 1945 - 1949, Sister Monica served as director of nursing service at St. Mary's Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin. After her election as superior general of our Congregation, Sister Olympia invited her to go to our Motherhouse in Rome, Italy, to serve as her private secretary and to assist in the beginning of Salvator Mundi International Hospital and school of nursing. When a new Mission Province was organized, Sister Monica was asked to be Mission Province Superior. In this role she traveled to our foreign missions in Africa and the Far East, including Taiwan and the Philippines. She served on the Generalate as a consultor for Missions from 1968 - 1971.

In 1971, Sister Monica returned to the United States, and after some refresher courses in nursing, served the North American province as a gerontology nurse at our nursing homes in Milwaukee and Portage and at the Jewish Convalescent Home in Milwaukee. Her last active ministry was as provincial archivist from 1985 - 1996. During the years preceding Sister Olympia's death which occurred in November of 1994, Sister Monica also helped with her nursing care at Salvatorian Heights, a labor of love for someone whom she respected so much. Sister Monica was proud to be a Salvatorian - a gracious lady with a gentle smile and a generous and prayerful heart.

S. Monica moved to our new Salvatorian Sisters Residence in January 2001, and, for health reasons, to our nursing home on St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus in January 2003. Her health had been gradually declining, but she was able to be up at the table and interacting with visitors up until the evening before her death. About 7:00 a.m. on September 1, Sister Monica was found to be unresponsive. The Sisters kept vigil with her throughout the day. She remained peaceful until she died about 5:00 p.m. She was 88 years old and professed for 62 years.

May she rejoice now and forever with the Healing Savior.

S. Monica was survived by her brother, John (Pat) Lietz, a brother-in-law, Norman Rheinschmidt, many nieces and nephews and Sisters of the Divine Savior. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Gamila (nee Yirkovsky) Lietz, and three sisters: Sister Regina, SDS, Rita (John) Cain, and Margaret Rheinschmidt.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 9, at St. Anne's Salvatorian Campus Chapel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with visitation at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.