Mary "Sister Pat" Scherer

Sister Mary Patricia Scherer, 92, passed away Friday, March 27, 2026 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sister Pat was born March 28, 1933 to John and Marie (Steuter) Scherer in Aurora, Illinois. She was raised in Aurora and graduated from Madonna All Girls Catholic High School. She received a BA from St. Mary’s College Notre Dame and her Master’s from De Paul University.

She entered the Springfield Dominican Order in 1951. In June of 1972, Sister and four other Dominican Sisters came to Des Moines because the order to which they belonged did not value or appreciate the teachings of Vatican II. The Des Moines Diocesan Bishop, Maurice John Dingman, welcomed the women with open arms. He immediately game them the name Sisters of the Christian Ministry, and made them Diocesan sisters.

Sister Pat taught junior and senior religion at Dowling High School from 1972-1978. Then, she received a call from Bishop Dingman. He wanted her to take over the refugee program. Sister Pat worked with the refugees through Catholic Charities from 1978-1982 and in a building at St. Ambrose Cathedral from 1982-2013.

After retirement, Sister Pat lived in downtown Des Moines and later came to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in 2023. To the end, she continued to check on the people she shepherded for over 45 years.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, Kevin, Maryann, Patty, Shaila, Eileen, Terrence, Stephen, David, Christopher, Daniel, Barb, and Greg; and a hosts of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Delores Winckler and Kathleen McCall; and brother Jack Scherer.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2026 at St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High Street in Des Moines with a closing Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 11 also at St. Ambrose. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Ambrose Cathedral Refugee Ministry, St. Ambrose Cathedral – Holy Family Tuition Fund, or Dowling Catholic High School Tuition Fund.
St. Ambrose
Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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