obit-sister-louise-gietl.jpgALTON - Sister Louise Gietl, OSU, 91, of Springfield, died Aug. 7 at the Ursuline Convent in Alton.

She was born on March 8, 1917, in Springfield, to Emil and Anna Hanke Gietl Sr. She entered the Ursuline sisters on July 19, 1936, and made her first professions on Jan. 20, 1939. A graduate of Ursuline Academy in Springfield, she received her bachelor's degree from Fontbonne College in St. Louis and her master's degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago.

Sister Louise was a teacher for over 27 years at several schools including Blessed Sacrament and St. Aloysius in Springfield, St. Bernard in Wood River, St. Peter in Kirkwood, Mo., Sacred Heart in Festus, Mo., and St. Ambrose in Godfrey. She introduced her fourth-graders to the "Love Bug Club," which kept in touch with needy persons in the parish. She also privately tutored many area children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and five brothers. She is survived by one sister, Helen Gietl Huelsman, and one brother William Gietl, both of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral Mass was held Aug. 11 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Springfield, with Father Donald Meehling officiating. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 670, Springfield, IL 62705.

Staab Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.