Sister Paulette Hupfauf, age 91, died on Dec. 31, 2022. The former Mary Louise Hupfauf was born May 3, 1931, in Appleton, daughter of the late Henry and Olive (Probst) Hupfauf. She entered the convent in 1950, professed her vows in 1953, and celebrated her 70th Jubilee in religious life in 2021.
Sister Paulette’s academic achievements include bachelor's degrees in elementary education and mathematics from St. Norbert College, De Pere; a master's in mathematics from Brown University, Providence, RI; and a master's in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago.
She served as a teacher at St. Isidore, Osman; St. Boniface, De Pere; St. Kilian, New Franken; and principal at Holy Angels, Darboy, and Holy Family, Marinette. She was a beloved math teacher at Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere. After certification in Clinical Pastoral Education she served as Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care at St. Vincent and St. Mary Hospitals, Green Bay. She also served the Community in Leadership for 21 years as a General Counselor, Vice-President, and Community President.
While Sister Paulette enjoyed all her ministries, especially in these later years, she spoke with great fondness of her time and her students at Abbot Pennings High School and her work in pastoral care at the hospitals. The same listening skills and understanding heart that made her an effective teacher enabled her to walk with those suffering illness and bereavement during her pastoral care ministry. We will miss the sparkle in her eye, her enthusiasm for life, and her ability to make friends wherever she went.
Survivors include the Sisters and Associates of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross; her sister, Alice Lindberg; sister-in-law, Deb Hupfauf; and well-loved nieces, nephews, other relatives and many students and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents Henry and Olive; sisters Laverne Van Rossum, Arline Kasten, and Betty Jansen; her brothers Donald and Henry; and brothers-in-law Leonard Kasten, Archie Jansen, Thomas Lindberg, Arlon Mader, and Louis Van Rossum.
Friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Road, Green Bay, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, from 5 pm for the Visitation followed by the Vigil Service at 6:30 pm. The Visitation for Sister Paulette will continue on Thursday morning, Jan. 5, from 9:30 to 10:45 am. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am with Rev. David McElroy, O.Praem, as Celebrant. Homilist will be Rev. Donald Zuleger. Burial will be in St. Francis Convent Cemetery. Online condolences may be submitted here.
The Sisters of St. Francis and the family of Sister Paulette wish to express their gratitude to the Sisters and nursing staff at St. Francis Convent, the caring staff at Caraton Commons, and the Hospice personnel from ProMedica Hospice who provided such loving care and support.
