Sr. Eleanor Krieg FSM, 93, was pharmacist, chaplain, musician
Rich Fountain native Sister Eleanor Krieg of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, 93, died on Feb. 11, at The Sarah Community in Bridgeton.
A Funeral Mass was offered on Feb. 18 in the chapel at The Sarah Community.
Sr. Eleanor was a pharmacist, chaplain and lifelong musician.
Her quiet, gentle ways and willingness to serve endeared her to many.
Eleanor Frances Krieg was born June 5, 1926, in Rich Fountain, the third of four children (three girls, one boy) of Henry and Sibylla (Reinkemeyer) Krieg.
She learned to play piano and violin while growing up.
She entered the congregation then known as the Sisters of St. Mary on Aug. 9, 1943, and was given the religious name Sister Mary David.
She professed final vows on Feb. 11, 1949.
She earned her bachelor’s degree (1953) and master’s degree (1956) in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy; a bachelor’s in theology (1964) from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana; and a certificate in Religious Formation (1972) through Saint Louis University in St. Louis.
She began working in the pharmacy in St. Mary’s Hospital in St. Louis in 1950. She continued serving as a pharmacist there from when she completed her studies until 1975.
From 1962 to 1969, she also served on the SSM Leadership Council in addition to her pharmacy work.
She served in formation and directed the associates (1969-75); from 1975 through 1978 and again in early 1981, she directed novices and led retreats.
From 1978 to 1980 she served as a pharmacist in Texas.
In 1981, she helped establish Mercy Hospice in Conway, South Carolina, then directed volunteers there until 1985.
She was provincial general and councilor (1985-87) during reunification of the Sisters of St. Mary and the Sisters of St. Francis of Maryville.
The combined congregation is known as the Franciscan Sisters of Mary (FSM).
She served briefly as acting FSM secretary general.
In 1988, she returned to Mercy Hospice as chaplain for two years.
From 1990 to 1995, she co-directed Our Lady of Victories (skilled nursing) and St. Michael communities at the motherhouse.
She worked with patient records at Mercy Hospice (1995-2004), then served in FSM Archives (2004-10).
She moved to The Sarah Community, located on the campus of SSM DePaul Health Center, on June 24, 2010.
Her music was a gift to her community. She accompanied Masses and prayer services at the motherhouse, and after the Second Vatican Council spent many hours converting Latin hymns to English.
She played piano and sang at her parish in Myrtle Beach and at The Sarah Community.
She enjoyed reading, especially spiritual books and mysteries.
She loved belonging to the FSM community.
“It has been a good and enriching life,” she once stated.
Surviving is a sister, Louise Fick of Westphalia, as well as nieces, nephews and many relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; a sister, Marie Boes; and a brother, Clem Krieg.
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis.
