Sister Liz Koehler, RSM, dies

Published: January 19, 2023

By Sisters of Mercy

Sister Marie Elizabeth “Liz” Koehler, RSM, 73, formerly of Arkansas, died Jan. 18 in hospice care at Catherine’s Residence in St. Louis.

Born the eldest of seven children, Sister Liz dedicated her life to serving others.

Born Jan. 25, 1949, in Little Rock, Sister Liz graduated from St. Edward Elementary School in 1963 and Mount St.Mary Academy in 1967, both in Little Rock. After graduating from “the Mount”, she entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in St. Louis. Continuing her education, she received her bachelor's degree in social studies from Maryville College, St. Louis, in 1973 with an Elementary Education Certificate. While continuing in her ministry, she received her master's degree in counseling at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., in 1986, and a certificate in spiritual direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, in 1997.

Her call to self-sacrifice and service sustained her through teaching at Christ the King School, Fort Smith; St. Patrick School, Meridian, Miss.; St. Joan of Arc School, St. Louis; serving as a Child Care Worker at Mercita Hall, St. Louis; parish ministry at St. Richard Church, Jackson, Miss.; as Spiritual Director in Little Rock;and Bereavement Coordinator at Mercy medical facilities in Hot Springs, Ark.,and Springfield, Mo.

She is survived by her sisters, Clara Koehler Smith, of Little Rock, and Michelle Haydel and her husband, Greg, of North Little Rock, Ark.; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert L.Koehler Jr., and, Laurie, of Sherwood, Ark., Duane Koehler, D.O., and Tammy, D.O., of Miami, Okla., and Kenneth Koehler and Lesia, of Fayetteville, Ark.,and numerous nieces, nephews and her Sisters of Mercy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. Koehler, Sr., and Mary Ellen Penny Koehler, and brother Dennis Koehler.

In addition to her love of her family, Sr.Liz enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing, cake decorating, photography, reading and traveling.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be privately celebrated Jan. 23 at Catherine’s Residence.