Sister Mary Kathryn Esch

    Sister Mary Kathryn Esch (Sister Leonius), 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights Thursday, April 6, 2023.  She was born on April 27, 1926 in Caledonia, Minnesota to Leo and Johanna (Hoscheit) Esch.  She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1945, received the name of Sister Leonius, and made perpetual vows in 1950.  Sister Leonius taught Junior High students from 1964-1971 at St. Raphael Catholic School in Springfield.

A private Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights, Rochester, on Thursday, April 13 with burial at Calvary Cemetery.