Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA, was born and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin, but has done ministry in several  states. She made vows as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration in 1960. She has been a teacher, principal, superintendent of schools, educator at Viterbo University, and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. Her degrees are from Viterbo University, Catholic University, and Michigan State.