Stella Witwer was born at Traer, Iowa March 11, 1884. Her parents were Baptists, gentle, God-loving people who raised their family in a thoroughly Christian atmosphere. In early childhood Stella formed a deep and lasting friendship with Grace Trites (our future Sister M. Theophane), four years her junior, then of the same faith, and who was instrumental in bringing her into the Church after her own conversion. Though Stella's parents were deeply grieved, and offered strong opposition, she courageously followed her conscience and became a Catholic. 

Even before joining the Church, Stella had resolved to consecrate her life to God in the religious state. After teaching for some years, she along with Grace Trites, entered the newly-founded religious community in the west, which disbanded after a short time. After many trials and sufferings, both joined our community in Chewelah, and were sent to Clyde for their novitiate in 1916 and made profession. (They were profession companions of Sisters M. Leonarda, Cornelia and Hyacinth.)

Sister Margaret Mary taught in the district schools in the neighborhood, and later in the Academy. She was a born teacher, kind, lovable and understanding and intensely loved by her pupils. She was especially good in teaching catechism to the younger girls and preparing them for First Holy Communion. For a time she was stationed at Mundelein, where she is especially remembered for her spirit of sacrifice for holy adoration, day and night. She was a very refined person, kind, gentle, amiable, with a winning smile that portrayed her kindness and sincerity of heart. One who knew her well described her as a "beautiful, God-fearing soul, calm and gentle, the likes of which one seldom finds."

During the last eight years of her life Sister Margaret Mary was confined to bed in the Clyde infirmary, with a complication of diseases which caused her acute pain. Her long siege of suffering, endured with great patience and resignation, came to an end at her death on Feb. 28, 1940 at the age of fifty-six years.