Sister Petronilla Metzger
September 27, 1919 ~ October 14, 2020
Sr. Petronilla passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Eventide in Fargo.
Loyola Mary Metzger was born September 27, 1919 in Hannah, North Dakota, the second of eleven children born to Severius and Lucy (Perius) Metzger. She attended country schools during her elementary years, and High school in Wales, ND, St. Alphonsus High School in Langdon, and Sacred Heart Academy in Fargo, from which she graduated.
In 1938, she entered the Presentation Sisters. At her reception as a novice she was given the name Sister Mary Petronilla. In 1944, she made her final profession of vows.
Sister Petronilla graduated from North Dakota Agricultural College with a bachelor’s degree in Education; from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska with a Master’s degree in Administration, and from Seattle University, Seattle, Washington with a Master’s degree in Religious Education. Later she received a certificate in theology from Regis College in Toronto, Ontario. She did a year’s internship in Spiritual Direction at The Cenacle Retreat House in Wayzata, MN.
Sister Petronilla taught at St. Anthony’s School, St. Mary’s School and Shanley High School in Fargo, and was Principal at St. Alphonsus High School in Langdon until the school was closed. She was adult Religious Education Coordinator in the Langdon area, in the Grand Forks Diocesan Office and at Blessed Sacrament Parish in West Fargo. In 1985 she began her work at Presentation Prayer Center where she served until 2013, albeit she continued to see individuals for spiritual direction until a few months before her death.
In 1987 she developed the Pastoral Care Department at Riverview Place, Fargo, and was active there for ten years. During some of this time, she also did chaplaincy work at Villa Maria in Fargo.
In 1976, Sister Petronilla was elected president of the Congregation and held that position for six years. Previous to that she had held the positions of Director of Aspirants, Mistress of Novices, and Administrative Council Member.
During her term as President, she was a governing board member of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and an officer of the North American Conference of Presentation Sisters.
Sister Petronilla loved spending time in nature, was an avid reader, and enjoyed music.
She is survived by the members of her Religious Community, her sisters Marilyn Gapp (Art), Josephine Bittner(Ken); many nieces and nephews; sister-in-laws Alice, Lorraine, and MaryAnn Metzger.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Silverius, Nestor, Emeric, Arnold, Roy, Ray, Geraldine and Maurice.
Funeral Mass: 11 AM Saturday, October 17, 2020 at Nativity Catholic Church in Fargo with visitation one hour prior – Services will be livestreamed on the funeral home website beginning at 10:45 AM
Burial: Holy Cross North Cemetery in Fargo
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Sr. Petonilla was my 2nd grade teacher, and as
Such my religious educator for my First.Holy Communion. Tom
She was always the level headed voice of reason and wisdom, she and my dad had many philosophical debates….. we’ll miss you!
One great lady. Always positive, caring and helpful. Although I moved away from Fargo awhile ago. she continued to influence my life in many ways. She taught me so much through her actions. Loved her as a Spiritual director, friend, sister in Christ, and so much more. Rest in Peace. Well done my good and faithful servant. Keep your light burning bright.
Sister Petronilla was a favorite teacher for most of Stanley students. I enjoyed visiting with her at her Presentation home, along with the other sisters. Always smiling, always gracious. She was one of a kind….I think God broke the mold when she came along….rest in peace, Sister.
Sister Petronilla will be missed by so many- she was such a pillar of strength and inspiration to her family and the community. Dennis and I are so happy we were able to spend more time with her in the past 8 years since we moved back to Fargo.
Sister Petronella was filled with so much wisdom, grace, passion for her faith, and had such a calming nature. I feel so Blessed and grateful to have her as my Aunt. I didn’t get to see her often but when I did I loved just listening to her. I will forever cherish my last one on one visit with her where she brought so much peace to my heart. Sister will remain part of us forever.
May Sr. Petronella have eternal joy with our loving God. She served the God she loved as a faithful an humble servant and shared her many gifts and insights with others. I appreciated her wisdom and spiritual insights and her willingness to help others grow in their faith and relationship with God through education, formation and spiritual direction and in later years pastoral care. Fr. Tim Bushy
So sorry I didn’t get to Fargo more often, especially to celebrate your birthdays with you and the cousins.
I will miss always getting your Christmas card every year with a little inspirational message.
Love you Sister Petronilla…RIP
I am so sad for the loss of this holy , spiritual woman. I loved to visit with her at times how we are a distant relation I was so proud of, her mother and mine being first cousins. We both loved music, as she came from a musical family. I will certainly miss Sr Petronilla, and will always be so thankful for her. “May the Angels Welcome her to Paradise”.
Sister Petronilla was such a delight to visit with. She and her fellow Sisters are the true Christians in this turbulent world. I so enjoyed her birthday party last year.
I will always remember Sister laughing. She had a way of making you feel like you were so special. She was so open and non-judging. She always saw the positives and was so supportive. I am glad to have many wonderful memories. I am sure heaven is a little brighter because of her light. ♥️
Sister Petronilla was my great aunt, I only know great things about her I had never had the chance to meet her. She will be missed definitely!
So glad I attended your 100th birthday party last year.
Sister Petronilla was a source of light, wisdom, kindness and compassion for all those whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed. May she rest now in peace.
Of all the people in my life, no one has ever been any kinder to me than Sr. Petronilla. She blessed the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her, and I thank God for bringing her into mine.
I had sister Patronella at St. Mary’s, and Shanley high school. She was such a remarkable teacher. She had such a soft side to her that made you think she already knew what you were thinking. Rest in peace Sister Patronella.
Sr. Petronilla was an amazing woman of God. God bless her, may she rest in the glory of God and the virgin Mother.
Our Sympathy to the Presentation Sisters and the Metzger Family . . . Sr. Petronilla was with us when my sister, Sr. Donna Jean died in 2002. She always made every effort to be a part of the Chaput Family, always welcoming us with open arms and of course making us feel very special. Such a gift from God to have known this beautiful Lady and the others Sisters and of course the whole Metzger Family. May you all find comfort knowing that her many works are completed here on earth and she is home “safe in the arms of Jesus.” God Bless her Memory.
Thank you for livestreaming Petronilla’s Mass of Resurrection. It was great to be able to join you, Sisters, as we bade farewell to her until we see each other again in our eternal home. Our deepest condolences go to Petronilla’s family and to you, our Sisters in Fargo, and we hold you close to our hearts and in our prayers. Love and peace to you.
May you Rest In Peace Sister Petronilla…I always looked forward to visiting you when I went out to the convent…I think you were in school with my Uncle Jerome P Dwyer …I was sad to read about your death in The Forum this morning (Oct. 17)I am lector tomorrow morning at St Anthony’s at 7…I will make sure you are remembered in Prayers of the faithful…John R McLaughlin
I’m so thankful for Sister’s life. What an amazing gift she is to those that knew her. Just think of the countless lives she touched through her life of service and devotion to our Lord. Personally, her prayers have greatly impacted my life. I will miss her. “The prayer of righteous man has great power…” (James 5:16) Now she can offer our prayers amidst the beatific vision!
Sister Petronilla was a very special person with many talents that she shared with many.
I had the pleasure of working with her at Riverview Place. She helped us start the Pastoral Care program at the facility when I was the Administrator. She was amazing and did so much for us as did all the Sisters in the early years of Riverview Place. Wish I could have been at the funeral, but with the pandemic and my health condition I do try to avoid crowds.
May she rest in peace and enjoy her eternal rewards.
Debera (Day) Sabin ’67
She was in charge of us aspirants in 1963 when I started Highschool. She had great patience and was a wonderful mentor for the 12 of us. Maye she rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
Sr. Petronilla was my first cousin. I was very proud of her and I remember when she left for the convent. We kept in touch in later years. I loved the woman dearly. The Lord had a good one there. She was the example we all hope to be.
Sister Petronilla was Principal at St. Alphonsus, Langdon in l968, the last year of the High School. Teachers can bring discipline to a school but can do so in a way that students respond, not out of fear, but respond out of motivation and respect. For me, Sister Petronilla challenged me to be a better student, a better person, and I am grateful for her influence in my life. She was not just a teacher, principal or role model, but a friend.
Sister Petronilla was my first cousin. We lived in Mt. Carmel, North Dakota and would visit her when she came home on visits. A dearly beautiful lady. I always felt so proud of her. May her soul rest in peace. Amen