BIWER, Marie A., age 79

Died: Monday, January 25th, 2016

Memorial Mass: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma, Iowa with the Fathers' Steve Garner and Ken Glaser concelebrating

Visitation: family will receive friends 1hour prior to Mass at church

Interment: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016 in Calvary Cemetery, Elma, Iowa

In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity are preferred.

Marie Agnes Biwer, age 79, of Eau Claire, WI and Elma, IA died on Monday, January 25, 2016 at the St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud, MN after having multiple myeloma cancer.

Marie was born on August 23, 1936 to the late William and Theresa (Rosonke) Biwer in Elma, IA. She attended a one room country schoolhouse through 8^th grade. She then graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Elma, IA.

In January 1955, Marie became Sister Pius as she joined the Sisters of Mercy in Cedar Rapids, IA. Here she received her teaching degree at Mount Mercy Academy, currently known as Mount Mercy University. Marie was an elementary teacher, teaching mostly 1^st and 2^nd grades. She taught at St. Joseph in Marion, IA; St. Patrick, Fairfax, IA; St. Patrick, Anamosa, IA; Immaculate Conception, Cedar Rapids, IA; Helena, Montana; St. Mathew, Cedar Rapids, IA; St. John, Waterloo, IA; Our Lady of Grace, Edina, MN. After leaving the community, Marie taught at St. Rose of Lima, Roseville, MN; and Immaculate Conception, Eau Claire, WI.

Marie and a good friend, JoAnn Moran, worked and lived with the Benedictine Sisters at the Spirituality Center at St. Bede's Priory, Eau Claire, WI. After St. Bede's closing, they moved to St. Cloud to be near the Benedictine Sisters. Marie led a simple life and had many friends. She enjoyed playing cards and games and helping others. Marie will be remembered, even by the very youngest, for all the birthday cards she sent.

Marie is survived by her siblings, Elaine Schmitz of Pleasant Hill, IA, Dorothy Schmitz of Ionia, IA, Rose Marie Hickey of Rochester, MN, and Dan (Judy) Biwer of Elma, IA; sister-in-law, Judy Biwer of Zumbrota, MN; 19 nieces and nephews; 52 great nieces and nephews; 6 great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her dad in 1995; her mother in 2008; brother, Bill in 1997; brothers-in-law, Bob and Bill Schmitz; nephew, Mike Schmitz; niece and goddaughter, Becky Snow.