Mary Fran Schenk

Mary Fran Schenk nee Bronge, age 94.

Beloved wife of forty four years and best friend in the whole wide world to James (Jim) Schenk. Accomplished sailor and intrepid First Mate aboard the Sailing Vessel “Mary Flower” from 1980 to 1995. Co-owner of Leonardo’s Pizza in downtown Naperville, IL 1981-2002.

Adored sister of the late Nicholas and the late Elena. Treasured Auntie Dolly to more than thirty nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Loving Grandma to Logan, Presley and Charlie Schenk. Sixty plus year friend and confidant of Mary Kay Kickels, Delores Curns and the late Celia Brocken and Margaret Flaherty.

From 1948 to 1973 she was Sister Laurence of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange, Illinois during which time she taught grade school and high school. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, MO and became the head of the PE Department at Nazareth Academy High School in LaGrange.

In 1955, Sister Laurence established the first interscholastic sports program at Nazareth. In response to requests from many students, she started one of the first girls high school basketball teams in Illinois. A natural athlete and self-taught coach, Sister Laurence’s Nazareth teams were among the most successful in the state at a time when girls varsity sports had not yet become part of the IHSA. Over her seventeen year coaching career, the Nazareth teams won multiple AAU and CYO championships. She also taught herself how to play volleyball by reading books from the library and practicing by hitting balls off the wall of the gym. She then established a highly successful volleyball program as well. In 2007 Mary Fran was the first inductee into the Nazareth Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. A scholarship program has been established in her name that will continue to help deserving student/athletes attend Nazareth well into the future.

While she was at Nazareth, Mary Fran continued her education earning a Master’s Degree in Theology from Marquette University, which led to her being appointed head of the Nazareth Religion Department, and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from The University of Notre Dame. In addition to her academic achievements at Notre Dame, Mary Fran also made history on the football field. She entered - and won - a kicking contest. For a time, at least, she held the record for the longest punt by a woman in Notre Dame Stadium history.

Mary Fran spent most summers taking classes at colleges across the country including The University of California – Berkely, Georgetown University in Washington D.C., and The University of Colorado among others.

Along with her close friends and fellow St. Joe nuns Cel Brocken and Margaret Flaherty, she also taught summer school classes in diverse school settings in some of the poorest areas in Mississippi and Alabama.

In 1973, after twenty five fulfilling years as a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary Fran decided to leave religious life to pursue new challenges. Shortly after she had officially left the order, she attended a week long seminar in downtown Chicago where she met Jim Schenk, a Chicago area McDonald’s licensee with whom she would later work. They married in 1980.

Visitation: Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 10 A.M., Celebration of Life: 11A.M. Alexine Chapel 1515 W. Ogden Ave. LaGrange Park, IL 60526                                                                                                                              

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary Fran's memory to the Mary Fran Schenk Honorary Scholarship, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park, ll. 60526, www.nazarethacademy.com or to The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1515 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park, Il. 60526, www.csjoseph.org