Sister Gladys Meindl, 96, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Mary Gertrude Meindl was born on December 9, 1929, in Springfield, MN, to John Meindl and Margaret (Roiger) Meindl. She entered the Sisters of

St. Francis in 1947, received the name of Sister Gladys, and made perpetual vows in 1953.

Sister Gladys Meindl dedicated her life to serving God and others through the ministry of education. For more than five decades, she shared her love of learning, her patience, and her caring spirit with generations of children and families.

Her ministry as an elementary teacher began in 1950 at Saints Peter & Paul School in Glencoe, Minnesota. She continued teaching at St. Kilian School in St. Kilian, Minnesota; St. John School and St. Pius X School in Rochester, Minnesota; Cathedral School in Winona, Minnesota; St. Mary School in Tracy, Minnesota; St. Mary School in Portsmouth, Ohio; St. Juliana School in Chicago, Illinois; and St. Mary School in Winona, Minnesota.

In 1970, Sister Gladys began a long and meaningful ministry at St. Raphael School in Springfield, Minnesota, where she served as both principal and elementary teacher until 1986. Her dedication to the school community and the children entrusted to her care continued to touch many lives. She then ministered at St. Michael School in Morgan, Minnesota, first as an elementary teacher and later as principal and teacher. Even after retiring from her formal teaching ministry in 2002, Sister Gladys continued serving as a volunteer in Morgan until 2009.

In retirement, Sister Gladys returned to Assisi Heights, where she continued to live out her Franciscan vocation through the ministry of prayer. Throughout her many years of ministry, she offered her gifts generously and faithfully, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives of the children, families, colleagues, and communities she served.

Survivors of Sister Gladys include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 79 years; sister, Margaret Ramirez; nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert and Vincent Meindl; and sister, Dorothy Fidler.

A Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. To view the funeral via live stream, go to www.rochesterfrancisan.org. 

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Donor Relations, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901