SAN DIEGO — Sister M. LaVern Olberding, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Clinton, died Jan. 11 at The Alverno in Clinton, Iowa. She was 81.
Sister Olberding was born Sharon Rose Olberding on Jan. 15, 1944, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Mount St. Clare Convent in Clinton on Sept. 8, 1961. She received the name Sister Mary LaVern at her reception on June 13, 1962.
She professed first vows on Aug. 12, 1964, and made her final vows on Aug. 12, 1967.
Sister Olberding earned a bachelor’s in Chemistry at Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, and a Master of Religious Education from Seattle University in Washington.
Among other ministries, she taught science, math and religion courses at schools in Iowa, Nebraska, California and Kentucky.
In 2004, she moved to the San Diego area, where she promoted active nonviolence and peacemaking while working as an operations coordinator for Atwood and Thompson, Inc., in Spring Valley, and as a catechesis coordinator for St. Kieran Parish in El Cajon.
In 2012, Sister Olberding co-founded the Franciscan Peace Connection in La Mesa and ministered as its director until its closure and her retirement in 2024. This outreach ministry offered opportunities for workshops, study groups and trainings in promotion of active nonviolence and life skills to a variety of people and groups.
At St. Martin of Tours Parish in La Mesa, she served on the religious education staff and was active in social justice outreach.
She was the Clinton Franciscans’ recipient of the Franciscan Federation’s Peacemaker Award in 2018. During her time in California, she served on the board of directors for the Peace Resource Center of San Diego, acting as vice president and president.
She moved to The Alverno in Clinton on Sept. 16 of last year and remained there until her death.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 17 at The Canticle, which is located in Clinton. Burial was at St. Irenaeus Calvary Cemetery.
