Sr. Marietta (Beatrice) Hanus OSF

Sr. Marietta Hanus passed away on January 8, 2026 in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Sr. Marietta's Memorial Mass video can by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18BM16HLuC/

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10am at Presentation (Marietta) Parish, Bellwood, NE.

Sr. Marietta (Beatrice) Hanus was born February 5, 1930 to Leo and Mary(Mach) Hanus in Brainard, NE. She graduated from Marietta High School in 1947. She had her Final Profession on June 21, 1956 to become a Sister. Sr. Marietta is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the School of Sisters of St. Francis Community with whom she shared life for 77 years.

Sister Marietta Hanus gave her biography in series of recordings from 2013-2015. Sister was in her middle eighties at the time and was returning to Omaha and David City to visit family.

During those visits, we had the privilege of hearing and recording her biography, and providential that these details could be saved for all who have known and loved her, the School Sisters of St. Francis, and the Hanus family. Her story (mainly in her own words) along with other contributions from friends and family was published in 2016 in the book: “God at Work in My LIfe.”

Sister’s story is a personal testimony of faith and family. Those who have known Sister would agree that her faith and family were inseparable. Her family was large including her biological family, the School Sisters of St. Francis, and those whose lives she touched on four continents. Her travels took her to Communist Czechoslovakia, India, Peru, and Guatemala.

Sister’s biological family was always important to her and laid the foundation for putting God in the center of her life. She always made the time to spend with her brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. When she returned from her travels to Guatemala, Peru, and India, Sister would share stories of faraway places and bring items made by the people from other cultures that she lived and worked with.

Sister also brought the large Hanus family together. After finding a letter, Sister decided to visit Communist Czechoslovakia when she was visiting the sisters in Germany. She made a connection with Hanus relatives in the town of Prstice, Czechoslovakia, this was certainly a courageous trip for a Catholic nun to travel into a Communist-controlled country.

The Sisters of St. Francis became her vocational family that she lived, travelled, and cared for until the time that they cared for her. The School Sisters taught in schools, started a hospital in Milwaukee, and extended their mission to other countries and continents. In Sister’s words, they responded to the “needs of the time” and followed “God’s will.”

The School Sisters were not afraid to answer God’s call wherever it led them. When the Hanus family learned about martyrs that occurred in Guatemala while she was there, we realized that her travels also involved sacrifice and suffering for both Sister and the other School Sisters of St. Francis. Sister spent almost 2 decades in Central America and Guatemala working as a missionary and teacher, and at a time when it was dangerous for Catholic laity, some of whom were martyred for their faith.

Sister’s family grew even larger through her Catholic faith and the School Sisters when she worked in the missions. When Sister would speak of her experiences and the people of other countries, it was with personal humility and with respect for other cultures. Her concern was always with the welfare of others. She would ask about others before speaking of herself. When travelling with Sister, one had to stop with her, to visit with strangers who were from the countries that she had visited. This included Hispanics with whom she had a special bond, Latin Americans, and people from India.

It is not possible to truly share the beauty, grace, and gifts that Sister brought to those that knew and worked with her in a few paragraphs or personal testimony. However, her story can be found in her book can be purchased on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/God-at-Work-My-Life/dp/0997180420 Any proceeds from this book will be donated to the School Sisters of St. Francis.

In lieu of flowers: memorials are suggested to the School of Sisters of St. Francis in Wisconsin.