Little Rock native served in Arkansas, two other states

After graduating from MSM, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in St. Louis

Published: February 1, 2023

By Arkansas Catholic Staff

Sister Marie Elizabeth “Liz” Koehler, RSM, formerly of Arkansas, died Jan. 18. She was 73.

Born Jan. 25, 1949, in Little Rock, Sister Liz graduated from Little Rock’s St. Edward School in 1963 and Mount St. Mary Academy in 1967. After graduating from MSM, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in St. Louis.

Her call to self-sacrifice and service sustained her through teaching at Christ the King School in Fort Smith, St. Patrick School in Meridian, Miss., and St. Joan of Arc School in St. Louis. She also served as a child care worker at Mercita Hall in St. Louis, in parish ministry at St. Richard Church in Jackson, Miss., spiritual director in Little Rock and bereavement coordinator at Mercy medical facilities in Hot Springs and Springfield, Mo. She moved to St. Louis in 2022.

She is survived by three brothers, Robert L. Koehler Jr. of Sherwood, Dr. Duane Koehler of Miami, Okla., and Kenneth Koehler of Fayetteville; two sisters, Clara Koehler Smith of Little Rock and Michelle Haydel of North Little Rock; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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