Sister Marie Neier, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, died Sept. 14 at St. Francis Convent in Springfield. She was 94.

Sister Marie, the former Marie Magdalene Neier, was born in Washington, Mo., on Nov. 20, 1920, the daughter of August and Rose Zwicke Neier. She entered the congregation on Feb. 2, 1938 and professed her religious vows on Oct. 4, 1940. This year, she celebrated 75 years of religious profession.

Sister Marie graduated from St. John's School of Nursing and also earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Saint Louis University and a master's degree in biological sciences from Sangamon State University.

She served the community as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin. She served as clinical director of the School of Anesthesia at St. John's Hospital, Springfield, from 1972-1982 and returned to practicing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist from 1982-1996. In 1996, she joined the Samaritan volunteers at St. John's Hospital in Springfield until 2004 when she retired to a ministry of prayer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Norbert G. and Clarence J. Neier; and three sisters, Leola Engemann, Louise Poepsel and Berniece Dieckhaus.

She is survived by three sisters, Rosemary Wessel, Virginia Lee (Ken) Painter and Rita Ann Kuchem; one brother, James H. Neier; many cousins, including Sister Kenneth Wildt, OSF; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for more than 77 years.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Sept. 18 in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel in St. Francis Convent with Father Andre Schuldecker, OFM, presiding. Burial was in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

The Franciscan Sisters and the family of Sister Marie were served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home in Springfield.