Kaiser, FSPA, Sister Mae (Ann Clare)Sister Mae Kaiser, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 89, died on Monday, January 23, 2017, at Villa St. Joseph, La Crosse, WI. She was in the 67th year of her religious profession.Sister Mae was born on June 19, 1927, to Matthias and Thecla (Wagner) Kaiser in Stratford, Wis. At her baptism she was given the name Mary Frances. Because of all of the "Marys" in the relationship, she was called Mae. Her years of childhood were much the same as all girls—getting into, perhaps, more than her share of mischief when tagging after her two older brothers. She attended St. Joseph's School, Stratford, which was staffed by the FSPA. The years following her eighth grade graduation were spent at home helping with the work entailed in caring for a family of five brothers and five sisters. Often an S.O.S. for help came from families in the vicinity and then Mae lent a helping hand. This work consisted in playing nurse-maid and being assistant or chief cook. At the age of 20, Mae heard the Lord's knock at the door of her heart and she followed her two younger sisters, Alice and Joann, to St. Rose Convent.Mary was received into the novitiate on August 12, 1948, and was given the name Sister Ann Clare. (She later returned to the name her family had always called her, Mae.) She made profession of vows on August 12, 1950 and final profession on August 9, 1956.Sister Mae ministered to her sisters in the FSPA community for twenty years as a homemaker in convent homes in Dodgeville, Superior, Lima and La Crosse, WI, and Lansing, IA. She served two years (1960-1962) as a housekeeper at Viterbo College (University) and four years (1962-1966) at St. Angela Academy in Carroll, IA. Sister Mae was employed in Dietary Services at hospitals in Idaho Falls and Arco, ID (1957-1960) and St. Francis Medical Center (MCHS-FH), La Crosse (1971-1979). In 1979, she was appointed Director of Housekeeping at St. Rose Convent; a position she held until she retired in 1998. Sister Mae moved to Villa St. Joseph in 2014.Community members, family and colleagues remember Sister Mae as an accomplished seamstress, a good cook, a creative craftswoman and an efficient cleaner and organizer. In her retirement she sewed innumerable sets of drapes for the bedrooms at St. Rose Convent. Sister Mae always had a twinkle in her eye—as though she was looking for the next opportunity to get into mischief. She was kind and gentle and interested in her sisters and her work companions. Sister Mae is survived by her Franciscan community; two sisters: Mildred (Anthony) Eilers of Marshfield, WI; and Carol (Gary) Watson of Corvallis, OR. and three brothers: Mark (Agnes) of Stratford; Edward (Delphine) of Appleton, Wis.; and Paul (Joan) Kaiser, of Great Falls, Mont. and nieces and nephews. Sister Catherine Kaiser, FSPA, and Sister Margaret Wagner, FSPA, are among her surviving cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Sister Joann Kaiser, FSPA, Sister Alice Kaiser, FSPA and Monica Baierl and her brothers, Father Leonard Kaiser and Joseph.Friends may call after 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, at St. Rose Convent. A prayer service will be held that evening at 6:30 p.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 26, at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse.Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-4782.