Sr. Denise Schwarz, A.S.C.

Sister Denise Schwarz, A.S.C., died March 18 at Via Christi Sister Francis Hospital in Wichita, after a brief illness following surgery for a broken hip. Sister Denise was 87 years old and a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 66 years. 

Sister Denise was born on April 6, 1935, in Okarche to Frank and Mary (Grellner) Schwarz and was given the name Mary Jane. She was the third child and first daughter of what would be a family of 10 children. 

Sister Denise attended both grade school and high school at Holy Trinity, the parish closest to their family farm. Okarche was one of the early missions of the Adorers, established prior to statehood in what was Indian Territory. She was a classmate and good friend of Blessed Stanley Rother, who shared 12 years of education with her. 

A year after graduating from high school, Denise entered Sacred Heart Convent as an Aspirant in September 1954. Three months later, on Jan. 6 she began postulancy and entered novitiate on July 1, 1955, receiving the name Mary Denise. A year later she made first vows, and on July 1, 1961, final vows. 

All of Sister Denise's years in ministry were dedicated to elementary students, mostly in primary grades. From 1957 to 1970, she taught at Christ the King and All Saints in Wichita, Caldwell, Piqua, Saint Marks, Andale, and Offerle, Kansas. Every school had at least two grades under her instruction. Piqua had three, Offerle and Caldwell had four. These early experiences may have contributed toward Sister Denise being recognized as a skilled teacher with a calm demeanor that was part of her personality in and outside the classroom. 

In 1975, she ministered farther afield in Elk City and Hobbs and Carlsbad, New Mexico. Her teaching career included Conway Springs and Arkansas City in Kansas, before a final 12 years at Sacred Heart School in Oklahoma City. 

Returning to the Wichita Center in 2011, Sister Denise assumed new roles and responsibilities. She served as part-time receptionist at the front desk where she quietly and warmly welcomed guests, Sisters and co-workers, handling requests with her natural efficiency. She tutored the children of the asylee families hosted at the Wichita Center, helping them with materials presented in English, their newest language. 

Eventually health issues led to diminished energy and necessitated moving to Caritas. For the last year or so, Sister Denise lived with a heart condition and the knowledge that God might call her home any day. 

Preceding Sister Denise in death were her parents, Frank and Mary, her brothers, Arnold, Robert, Richard, and her sisters, Agnes Ann Schwarz and Rose James. She is survived by brothers, Steve, and Deacon Max, and sisters, Helen Bice and Joan Anderson, in-laws, nieces and nephews and members of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. Two of her mother's sisters were Adorers, Sisters Mary Ann and Zenona Grellner. 

The wake and Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Denise was held the Wichita Center on March 27. Father Joe Schwarz, a nephew, was the presider and homilist. Interment was at the convent cemetery.