Sister Marie Cigrand was born in Cascade, Iowa, the third of four children. She attended grade school at Sacred Heart, Fillmore and high school at Aquin High School, Cascade. She graduated from Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has a master’s degree from Clarke University in Computers in Education. Sister Marie entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1979 and professed final vows on July 31, 1988. Sister Marie taught in elementary schools in Worthington, Iowa; Granville, Iowa; Dyersville, Iowa, and Dubuque (St. Anthony’s). She has also served as a media specialist in Dubuque and Janesville, Wisconsin. (St. John Vianney). She ministered as the Sisters of St. Francis Congregational Secretary from 2002 until 2014. Sr. Marie then was elected as a vice president of the Sisters of St. Francis Leadership Team serving from 2014-2020. Presently she is the director of the libraries at Mount St. Francis Center and assists the congregation in socially responsible investing. “Forty years ago I could never have imagined where God would lead me. I have been enriched and empowered by my family, my Franciscan sisters, and all with whom I have ministered. It has been and continues to be a blessed life and I am full of gratitude. “