Sr. Mary Augusta Stratz, RSM, 93, a tall, strong woman of proud German heritage and a Sister of Mercy for 74 years, died May 7, 2025, at Aquinata Hall in Grand Rapids, MI surrounded by loved ones.
Born January 20, 1932, in Lansing, MI to August and Catherine Pung Stratz, Madelyn entered the Sisters of Mercy September 8, 1951, at Mercy College in Detroit, MI. She made final vows on August 8, 1957. Her ring motto, All for You, Jesus, presaged her decades of ministry, especially to the most dispossessed.
Sister Augusta spent nearly all her years of ministry in mid- and northern Michigan. A graduate of Mercy College, she began ministry as a teacher in Michigan elementary schools in Port Huron, Reese, Howell, Cadillac, Auburn and Bay City. In mid-life she became the Director of Aging Programs for two Michigan dioceses, trained for pastoral ministry and became Coordinator of the pastoral care department at Leila Y. Post Hospital in Battle Creek, MI.
Eventually her ministry focused on mental health, especially of older adults and other disadvantaged populations. She developed and implemented outreach services for older adults and became the OBRA coordinator, ensuring nursing home compliance with federal requirements, for Great Lakes Community Mental Health in Antrim and Kalkaska counties.
She was an active board member for many organizations including North Country Community Mental Health Board (6 counties); Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan; Senior Advisory Council; Diocese of Gaylord Health and Wellness; Committee; Kalkaska County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Task Force, Executive and Legislative Committees; and the Kalkaska County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Task Force (appointed by District Judges).
In 2017, Sister Augusta received the Lumen Award from the Sheriff's Department and the staff of the Corrections Department in Kalkaska County. The award recognized her work in educational and enrichment services for inmates in the Kalkaska County Jail.
Even in retirement, though Augusta never considered herself truly retired, she continued to offer compassion to those around her. She became known as the "God bless you" Sister when she moved to Independence Village in Grand Ledge after years in Kalkaska. She enjoyed visiting with many fellow residents and concluding her chats with "God bless you." Both staff and residents enjoyed the quality of her listening presence.
Sister was preceded in death by her older sister Mary Schafer and her twin sister Evelyn Weitzel. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Debbie Dittmer (Jay), Mike (Dawn), Dave (Janet), Kevin (Lorie), Brian (Denise) and Cathy; and their children Kelly Pruitt (Jason), Mike Dittmer (Blair), Chris Xanders (Abby), Matt Weitzel, Ryan Weitzel (Johanna), Elleisha (DJ) Burrow, Adam Weitzel, Matthew, Peyton, Esther, Judah, Gabriella and Hannah Weitzel, Jasmine Weitzel, Ashley Weitzel, Richard Weitzel (Nicole), Brianna LaGrow (Dillon), Brandy Brown (Randy), Justin Swain(Laura), Nicolette Merchant (Neb), and Sophie Weitzel; and several great grand nieces and nephews, and her many Sisters of Mercy.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday May 12, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Aquinata Hall, 153 Lakeside Dr NE , Grand Rapids MI 49503 Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery 2520 W. Willow, Lansing, MI 48917 Visitation and Mercy Prayer will be at 10:00 am on Monday at Aquinata Hall.
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