Remember | Winter 2024

In Memoriam

Saint Benedict’s Monastery

Winter 2024

Remember

From the Karen Rose, OSB, Prioress

Prioress

“Blessed are those who die in the Lord.”

Revelation 14:13

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manda Hackett, the editor ‌‌ of Remember, and I ‌always find working on this publication a very sacred undertaking. It’s a real privilege to read and reflect on the lives of sisters who have passed in the previous year. Each time, I’m made aware of the ways that these very different women truly lived and died in the Lord. As baptized Christians, each made a decision to give their life to the “Lord’s service,” as St. Benedict terms it. Since becoming the prioress, the significance of that commitment has had a profound effect on me as I carry out the duties of the role at sisters’ wakes and funerals (pg. 4).

Reflecting on how each sister has lived out her monastic call has also made me very conscious of what it means to be part of a professed religious community. In life and in death, we are always together, and our links stretch right back to St. Benedict and St. Scholastica in the sixth century. I also see how those links will stretch into the future, as I’m made aware that the sisters who have passed are still with us in spirit, urging us to look to the future.

When Mother Benedicta Riepp founded our community in 1857, 2

the sisters came to fulfill a need to educate German immigrants. They came to do what was needed at the time. There are still needs in our local community and in the world, and we are still called to do what we can to meet those needs.

Remember celebrates sisters who have died; we will honor them best by walking into our future, confident and unafraid. On behalf of the sisters whose stories are shared in this issue, I ask you to pray with them that we can continue the mission and ministry they began, serving the needs of the Church, locally and globally. We are grateful for the inspiration they give us and the witness they provide: “Blessed are those who die in the Lord.”

In hope and gratitude,

Remember Number 8 – Winter 2024 Karen Rose, OSB Prioress, Consultant Editor

Amanda Hackett Editor, Graphic Designer

Julie Schleper, OSB Staff Writer

Renée Domeier, OSB Proofreader On the Cover: A cross headstone in the monastery cemetery, taken by Nancy Bauer, OSB

Photos: Carleen Schomer, OSB, Karen Streveler, OSB, Marina Schlangen, OSB, Nancy Bauer, OSB, unless otherwise noted or supplied by individual sisters or Saint Benedict’s Monastery Archives Printing: Palmer Printing

Remember is published annually by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn., and commemorates the sisters’ life, work and hope for eternal life with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In this issue...

Following the Casket.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Gratitude to Mark Benson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 In Loving Memory: Angelo Haspert, OSB. . . . . . . . . . 6 In Loving Memory: Merle Maerz, OSB. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 In Loving Memory: Merle Nolde, OSB .. . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In Loving Memory: Clare Witzman, OSB . . . . . . . . . . 9 Dragonflies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10–11 In Loving Memory: Jeanne Marie Vanderlinde, OSB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Winter 2024

In Loving Memory: Kathryn Casper, OSB .. . . . . . . . 13 In Loving Memory: Ramona Bjork, OSB .. . . . . . . . . 14 In Loving Memory: Rita Kunkel, OSB.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Death by the Decade.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16–17 In Loving Memory: Luke Hoschette, OSB .. . . . . . . . 18 In Loving Memory: Mary Pattison, OSB.. . . . . . . . . . 19 In Loving Memory: Annette Brophy, OSB.. . . . . . . . 20 In Loving Memory: Theresa Lodermeier, OSB. . . . 21 Quote From the Rule of Benedict.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22–23

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Following the Casket I

remember being told early in my time at‌ the monastery that sisters often let go‌ and pass soon after a new prioress is installed. They see the community settled for the next six years and that frees them to make the final journey home. This has been my experience since I was installed as prioress on June 4, 2023. I’m writing this article almost exactly six months from that date, and 10 sisters have died during that time.

How has that felt?

When a sister dies, there always seems to be some sense of joy. We really celebrate a sister’s life in our funeral liturgies. At the same time, over the years, my reaction has become tinged with sadness and sometimes downright, full-on grief. At first, the sisters who died weren’t people that I knew very well. I could sympathize with other sisters who had a long history with them, but I wasn’t experiencing that sadness myself because they weren’t a major part of my life. I was too new. As the years have passed, I have had meaningful relationships with more and more sisters, and so I’m more deeply affected by the passing of someone who is both a sister and friend.

Since I entered in 2007, I’ve attended many funerals here at the monastery. I was prepared for the fact that as prioress my role in attending would 4

Karen Rose, OSB, Prioress

change. What I wasn’t prepared for was how that would feel. The prioress presides at the vigil (wake) service and takes a significant part in the funeral service and burial rites. I still have a personal response about each sister that passes, but the very first time I presided at a wake service, I realized that I was experiencing the sister’s death in a whole new dimension.

The sister who passed was Sister Kathryn Casper, who had supported me, challenged me, and helped me grow in many ways, right from the beginning of my time at the monastery. She was a person whose commitment to her calling I very much admired.

At the wake service, everyone processes into the chapel followed by the casket and the prioress. I felt truly alone, in a very profound way. I was alone because, at that moment, it was not about me in any way. It was about S. Kathryn and her relationship with the God to whom she had given her life. There I was, as prioress, representing for the community the Christ to whom she had committed herself all those years ago. It was a significant experience for me, and I’m grateful to S. Kathryn that, in a new way, she was still helping me to grow in my understanding of monastic life.

Since that funeral, I have followed the casket nine more times. Every time has been a gift and provided me with a moment of gratitude for these women who have sought God each and every day of their monastic life. May they rest in peace.

Remember | In Memoriam

Gratitude to Mark Benson

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he death of ‌‌a ‌ sister ‌ is a s‌ acred time ‌‌ for the monastic community. At this sacred time, many of our friends, guests and family members of the deceased sister know that we entrust the care of the final arrangements to Mark Benson and his professional staff at Benson Funeral Home. After 30+ years of working with his father, Raymond, then taking over the business, Mark recently retired from his service at the funeral home. We wish to recognize and express our gratitude to Mark for his gracious, compassionate presence and professional service.

When the monastic community entrusted our deceased sisters’ arrangements to Mark and his

Winter 2024

Patricia Kennedy, OSB

professional staff, we were grateful to find Mark open a pathway of mutual communication. His service exemplified concern for the bereaved and sacred rituals associated with Christian death.

This involved allowing time for the community to gather for a prayer service prior to transporting the sister’s body to the funeral home.

Mark’s approach to the preparation for viewing was simply to “prepare sister as she lived.” Those words express the respect and dignity given to our deceased sisters. When a sister requests cremation as final disposition, I witnessed the same respect and dignity given to the body in offering a final prayer and sacramental blessing prior to cremation.

On behalf of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, Mark. Be assured of our prayers for you, and Angie, as you transition to retirement.

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In Loving Memory: Angelo (Margaret) Haspert, OSB November 10, 1924 – January 29, 2023

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ister Angelo (Margaret) ‌ Haspert, ‌ age 98, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on January 29, 2023.

Margaret was born the sixth of John and Elizabeth (Renner) Haspert’s 11 children in Richardton, N.D. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on September 13, 1942, and was received into the novitiate as S. Angelo on June 21, 1944. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1945, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1948.

and Latin at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud. She then served as novice director for Saint Benedict’s Monastery from 1962 to 1971. The following two years, she taught religion at Saint Benedict’s High School in St. Joseph, and from 1973 to 1997, she taught theology and scripture at CSB. She also taught theology in 1980 for one semester at the CSB+SJU extension program in Nassau, Bahamas.

After retiring from CSB in 1997, S. Angelo continued teaching Scripture classes for the community, served as homilist, was a Studium scholar, and wrote lectionary commentaries.

She also served as receptionist in the monastery archives and at the Art and Heritage Place. In May 2001, she completed a two-year internship program in spiritual direction given at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and began serving at the Spirituality Center as a spiritual director.

After attending St. Mary’s Grade and High School in Richardton, S. Angelo attended the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in St. Joseph and received a bachelor’s degree in Latin with minors in On March 31, 2005, S. Angelo was honored by philosophy and history. In 1963, she earned a Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary master’s degree in theology from the Benedictine with the Sister Mary Anthony Wagner Award for Institute of Sacred Theology at Saint John’s “becoming one of the first women to earn a degree University (SJU) in Collegeville, Minn. S. Angelo from a Roman Catholic Theologate in the United also studied Latin during one summer at Marquette States.” The award reads: “We lift up your example University in Milwaukee, Wis., and did further of courage and faithfulness in responding to God’s graduate studies in theology during summers will to serve the Body of Christ.” In May 2014, she at Sienna Heights in Adrian, Mich., and Loyola moved to Saint Scholastica Convent and continued Marymount University in Los Angeles, Calif. her ministry of community living and praying.

In 1982, she received a certificate of theological In one of her homilies, studies after S. Angelo wrote, “The attending the invitation today is to find Jesuit School S. Angelo (left) served at the Spirituality Center the Kingdom of Heaven. of Theology in with Sisters Kate Casper (center) and Josue Behnen The Kingdom of Heaven Berkeley, Calif. has arrived—it is within S. Angelo’s us. It is seeing the whole primary world and all things totally ministry was transformed.” We rejoice in as an educator. her total transformation as From 1947 she now enters the eternal to 1962, she Kingdom of Heaven. taught history 6

Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Merle (Florentine) Maerz, OSB December 17, 1928 – February 9, 2023

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ister Merle (Florentine) ‌ Maerz, ‌ age 94, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on February 9, 2023.

Hospital for 15 years. Upon returning to Minnesota, S. Merle was the director of food service at St. Raphael’s Convent in St. Cloud from 1979 to 1984. For the next three years, she served at Saint Scholastica Convent and St. Joseph’s Convent in St. Cloud as receptionist, nurses’ aide and in food service.

In 1980, S. Merle received her GED from the St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical High School in St. Cloud. She received a certificate in 1981 after the completion of a dietetic assistant correspondence course from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., and was a certified member of the Dietary Managers Association for several years.

A talented baker, S. Merle contributed three recipes to the first volume of the Saint Benedict’s Monastery Cookbook, and in 1984, she entered the Rich’s Whip Topping recipe contest and won a Lassale Seiko watch for her amaretto pie recipe.

She also enjoyed reading and going for long walks.

Florentine was born the fourth of Anthony and Theresa (Laumeyer) Maerz’s five daughters in Long Prairie, Minn. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School and Long Prairie High School in Long Prairie for ninth and 10th grade and Saint Benedict’s High School, St. Joseph, Minn., for 11th grade. Florentine entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on August 26, 1945, and was received into the novitiate on June 17, 1947, as S. Merle. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1948, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1951.

S. Merle ministered in the domestic arts and in hospitality throughout her monastic life. She served in White Earth, Minn., where she taught home economics to fourth through eighth grades, including sewing and weaving, from 1948 to 1954.

From 1954 to 1957, she ministered as a supervisor in the cafeteria at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, then from 1957 to 1963, she worked in community housekeeping while assisting with home economics in cooking and baking at St. Mary’s Mission in Red Lake, Minn.

In the fall of 1963, S. Merle moved to Ogden, Utah, where she was the food supervisor at St. Benedict’s Winter 2024

S. Merle moved to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in 1998 and served in hospitality as a receptionist and as an assistant at the guest house. In 2014, she moved to Saint Scholastica Convent to continue her ministry of prayer and community living.

S. Merle at her Golden Jubilee

While celebrating her 60th anniversary of monastic profession, S. Merle reported with satisfaction about her 15 years in Ogden: “I worked with Indians, African Americans, Africans and Latinos, and also with Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons and other denominations. We had the best discussions at work in the kitchen. Why had I become a sister?

Did I believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist? I always tried to make the listener a better person by knowing God in a new way in his own religion. In the kitchen, I not only fed the body but also the mind and soul.”

S. Merle lived each day as God’s gift to her. We rejoice with her as she now beholds her loving God face to face.

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In Loving Memory: Merle (Simon) Nolde, OSB April 8, 1926 – March 28, 2023

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ister Merle (Simon) ‌ Nolde, age ‌ 96, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on March 28, 2023.

Merle was the oldest of eight children born to Joseph and Meryl (Runk) Nolde in Stillwater, Minn., where she attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School. After attending Saint Benedict’s High School and the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in St. Joseph, Minn., Merle entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on November 30, 1952, and was received into the novitiate on June 17, 1953, as Sister Simon. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1954, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1957, returning to her baptismal name in 1969.

S. Merle earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in music from CSB in 1949 and worked for three years in the social action department of the National Catholic Welfare Conference in Washington, D.C. She earned a doctorate degree in English in 1964 from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., and she also attended the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn.

With an array of talents and interests, S. Merle ministered in many different ways. She served as an educator and taught English at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud (1954–1957) and at CSB S. Merle (left) and Sister Eunice Antony at a social justice protest at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.

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(1957–1958, 1965–1978). From 1978 to 1981, she was co-director of the National Assembly of Women Religious (NAWR) in Chicago, Ill. For the next 10 years, S. Merle assisted with physical therapy at Saint Scholastica Convent, and for one year, she worked in pastoral ministry in Missoula, Mont. In 1993, S. Merle moved to Saint Benedict’s Monastery and served in hospitality at Studium, the monastery’s scholar’s program. She returned to Saint Scholastica Convent in 2008 to continue her witness to community prayer and living.

Throughout her entire life, S. Merle tirelessly promoted Gospel values of nonviolence through speaking, writing and action. She attended, organized and led countless sessions on human relations, peace, women’s issues and social justice for the total community. She was a strong and consistent voice, both locally and globally, giving witness to a lifetime of peacemaking.

In 1991, S. Merle was awarded the highest honor medal of the Institute of Women for her distinguished work in women’s issues, particularly through her leadership and contributions to NAWR’s publications. She was one of the founders and the first coordinator of Pax Christi Minnesota in 1982, as well as coordinator of the St. Cloud chapter for over 30 years. In 1998, she was awarded the Devoted Servant Award by the National Pax Christi Association. The award reads, in part, “for the inspired servant leadership which you have given Pax Christi St. Cloud.”

S. Merle describes monastic life as “witnessing to a way of being that is loving, and just, and inclusive, and that involves us in our own personal search for relationship with God and one another.”

She believed in the importance of social justice, equaling that to the celebration of the Eucharist.

In 2015, S. Merle stated, “Hope is at the heart of the Christian message. To lose hope is to give up on the Gospel, that I can’t do.” We rejoice as she now beholds her loving God face to face.

Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Clare (Bonaventure) Witzman, OSB June 30, 1934 – April 12, 2023

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ister Clare (Bonaventure) ‌ Witzman, ‌ age 88, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on April 12, 2023.

Clare Witzman was born the sixth of eight children to Ben and Minnie (Diel) Witzman in Cold Spring, Minn. She attended District #17 Public Grade School in Cold Spring and St. Agnes Grade and High School in St. Paul, Minn. After entering Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on September 8, 1953, Clareen was received into the novitiate as Sister Bonaventure on June 16, 1954.

She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1955, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1958. In 1968, she returned to her baptismal name.

S. Clare earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in philosophy from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. She received a master’s degree and a license in middle school English and language arts from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, and she also attended Hamline University in St. Paul and Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

Creating a legacy as a beloved educator throughout Central Minnesota, S. Clare taught middle and upper grades at St. Mary’s Cathedral Grade School in St. Cloud (1956–1959), St. Mary’s in Long Prairie (1959–1960), St. John the Baptist in Bluffton (1960–1963), St. Henry’s in Perham (1963–1966), St. Timothy’s in Maple Lake (1966–1973), Holy Cross in Pearl Lake (1973–1975), and Cathedral High School/John XXIII in St. Cloud (1975–2011).

She also served as principal at the schools in Bluffton, Pearl Lake and Maple Lake.

For 17 years, S. Clare taught Vacation Bible School in Clarissa, Minn., Butler, Minn., and in other Central Winter 2024

Minnesota parishes. She retired in 2011 after 55 years of classroom teaching. For the next 11 years, S. Clare served at Saint Benedict’s Monastery as an artisan for Whitby Gift Shop, as a receptionist and sacristan, and in environmental services. In 2022, she moved to Saint Scholastica Convent to continue community living and praying.

In 2007, S. Clare received the Paul Wenner Distinguished Service Award from Cathedral High School/John XXIII, citing her reputation as “a fair, firm teacher who provides life’s lessons disguised as English class.” The Diocese of St. Cloud also presented S. Clare with the 2011 Humanae Vitae Award for “her dedication to living and teaching the wisdom of Humanae Vitae.”

She was an advocate for life in both subtle and highly visible ways ranging from engaging in everyday conversations to attending prolife rallies.

S. Clare holding her S. Clare was known Humanae Vitae Award for her hospitality, friendliness, helpfulness and genuine concern for those she taught and with whom she worked. Her quick wit and fun-loving spirit were key elements in her success as an educator. An even stronger element was the faith she shared with her students. She did not hesitate to bring religion into her English classes and took time to pray with the students. Because S. Clare was very firm in her discipline, she was affectionately called “Clare, the Bear.”

S. Clare considered “life as a journey to God.” We rejoice in her reaching her destination and beholding her loving God face to face.

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Dragonflies Staging for Scenes Water bugs become dragonflies, so says the story intended to console the children when their five-year-old friend died. In the tale, a water bug could not keep his commitment to come back to his familiar waters after he climbed the stem of a water lily. They had seen water bugs ascend the stem; they never returned. He had committed to his water bug friends that he would return to tell them what he was experiencing. When he reached the top, he discovered that he had become a dragonfly.

He now had “four silver wings and a long tail.” He could fly. He went “swooping and dipping in great curves…He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere.”

Alas, when the dragonfly tried to return to his friends, he bounced back when he hit the water.*

Scene 1

I shared this story with Ken and his son, Jesse, during their retreat last July. Ken was 79, Jesse was 40. Ken was limping along the last lap of his journey with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jesse was walking with him, especially as they shared five days together. They remembered past events. They visited sites from Ken’s college days. They laughed. They talked about what happens when we die: Do we move into a joyful state? Do we lapse into nothing? Do deceased persons stay connected with their loved ones on earth, even communicating with them in some way? Ken and Jesse cried—in gratitude, in grief for the separation they both knew they would have to face soon. They soaked in the natural beauty and healing power of the surrounding lakes and woods. They were together; they were immersed in precious time alone and in quiet.

Mary Reuter, OSB

Scene 2 Later, the story of the water bug-to-dragonfly made its way several times into conversations at their family home. Dragonflies appeared often—on the deck, on the lawn. They and the story became part of the family lore.

Scene 3

Ken died two months after my encounter with him and Jesse. His death was peaceful. He left his family with a sense that he believed his work was complete. He’d seen and talked with people significant to him. He had passed his projects with the ALS Association into the competent hands of like-minded people who would champion his vision. However, he hadn’t answered his questions about death—an answer that could come only by climbing the stem of the water lily. It remained to be seen whether or not Ken would communicate in some way with the loved ones he left behind.

Scene 4

While driving to a doctor’s appointment, Jesse’s attention was caught by a flurry of dragonflies over a grassy patch of land. He stopped and walked toward the dragonflies. They were swarming. He had never seen so many dragonflies at one time.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds. Jesse turned on his video camera, hoping to take the experience with him. He anticipated revisiting the dragonflies after his appointment. Alas, when he arrived at the hoped-for scene, they had disappeared. Later Jesse realized that the swarm of dragonflies he had met occurred during the time his dad was being cremated.

Scene 5 After Ken’s death, a warm note of condolence arrived from the physical therapy/occupational therapy team at the hospital where he had received care and where he had died. When Jesse opened the envelope, a metal dragonfly slipped into his hand.

Backstage: Another Scene Wondering continues. Do people who have passed through death communicate to us with signs that we can recognize? If so, what is their purpose—to let us know they are still with us and care about us, to give us messages? I wonder…maybe…certainly…?

This article was originally published as a blog on January 24, 2023. Learn more about the water bug and dragonfly story at www.chasingdragonfliesblog.com/2014/01/20/water-bugs-and-dragonflies/.

In Loving Memory: Jeanne Marie Vanderlinde, OSB August 16, 1950 – April 27, 2023

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ister Jeanne Marie ‌‌ Vanderlinde, ‌ age 72, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on April 27, 2023.

Jeanne Marie was born the second oldest of 10 children to Jerome and Rosemary (Willems) Vanderlinde in Waconia, Minn. She attended St. Boniface Catholic Elementary School in St. Bonifacius, Minn., and Watertown Public High School in Watertown, Minn. S. Jeanne Marie entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on August 31, 1968, was received into the novitiate on June 8, 1969, and made her first monastic profession on July 3, 1971, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1975.

In 1974, S. Jeanne Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in secondary education from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph.

She later received a master’s degree in education from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota School of Graduate Studies in Winona, Minn., in 1999.

S. Jeanne Marie also served as assistant director of vocation ministry at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and on the monastic council for several terms. She was involved in the Together Encountering Christ program in Central Minnesota since its origin in 1979, and she also had leadership training in the Minnesota Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Project and facilitated a program at Benilde-St. Margaret’s for the teachers. When she returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in February, she continued ministry as an associate in the mission advancement department.

S. Jeanne Marie’s passion was teaching. She loved the enthusiasm and energy of teenagers. Her first interest was teaching United States history, and she was eventually asked to teach APUSH, the Advanced Placement United States History class. This gave her the opportunity to share her love of history as well as help students understand all aspects of that history. Later, she also taught junior high religion and found it rewarding to see her students’ faith views expand.

During the volleyball season, S. Jeanne Marie was the scorekeeper at the Benilde-St. Margaret’s games. Being part of a school community for such a long time, S. Jeanne Marie contributed in many ways as a leader and homilist for BenildeSt. Margaret’s school liturgies, as well as faculty workshops. She responded with deep faith and pastoral listening to students and staff.

S. Jeanne Marie ministered in education teaching secondary social studies, history and religion.

She began teaching history and social studies at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud in 1974. After 11 years, she moved to Edina, Minn., and taught social studies and junior high religion at BenildeS. Jeanne Marie lived her last year by reading the St. Margaret’s High School in St. Louis Park, Minn. following quote each day as an inspiration and She resigned her source of strength: “Cancer is so limited. It position after 48 cannot cripple Love, shatter Hope, corrode years of teaching Faith, or destroy Peace. It cannot kill S. Jeanne Marie (front left) upon receiving the Friendship, silence Courage, conquer the Spirit, with her sisters stunning news of or steal Eternal Life.” And it never did for her! her cancer diagnosis With deep faith, S. Jeanne Marie taught her on February 7, 2022. community how to live with the reality of During these years death. We rejoice with her as she now while teaching, experiences her loving God face to face.

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Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Kathryn (Blanche) Casper, OSB January 23, 1932 – June 18, 2023

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ister Kathryn (Blanche) ‌ Casper, ‌ age 91, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on June 18, 2023.

Kathryn was born to Michael and Madeline (Kierian) Casper in Breckenridge, Minn., the third of their four children. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School in Breckenridge, Torrence Junior High School in Torrence, Calif., and Breckenridge Public High School in Breckenridge. Kathryn entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on September 10, 1950, was received into the novitiate as Sister Blanche on June 20, 1951, and made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1952, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1955. She returned to her baptismal name in 1969.

S. Kathryn received a bachelor’s degree in history and minors in elementary education and English from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, as well as a master’s degree in religious education at Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. She also attended the S. Kathryn was a Diocesan Teachers’ College welcoming face at the and St. Catherine’s College Spirituality Center in St. Paul, Minn., St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., Saint John’s University School of Theology (SOT) in Collegeville, Minn., and Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. In 1997, S. Kathryn was certified as a spiritual director.

Education was S. Kathryn’s first ministry. She served as a teacher in the Central Minnesota

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Schools of St. Timothy’s School in Maple Lake (1953–1954), St. Anthony’s School in Watkins (1954–1961), Sacred Heart School in Staples where she also served as principal (1961–1968), and St. Peter’s School in St. Cloud (1968–1974).

After teaching in a classroom, S. Kathryn served as religious education coordinator at St. Peter’s Parish in St. Cloud (1974–1976) and at St. Anastasia Parish in Hutchinson, Minn. (1976–1980). She ministered to divorced, separated and remarried persons with St. Cloud Diocesan Catholic Charities from 1980 to 1986, and from 1987 to 1989, she served as a therapist with Psychotherapeutic Resources, a mental health center in St. Cloud.

In 1989, S. Kathryn moved to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to serve the monastic community as a member of the vocation/formation team. She held various positions during the next 10 years, giving her the opportunity to renew and deepen her own understanding and appreciation of Benedictine monastic life.

Beginning in 2000, S. Kathryn worked in spiritual ministries offering spiritual direction as well as teaching and supervising spiritual directors at the Spirituality Center. She was part of a team that taught the class “Dynamics of Spiritual Direction” at SOT, and she continued to give homilies and facilitate discernment workshops. S. Kathryn served on the College of Saint Benedict Board of Trustees, the board of Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague, Minn., and on the Central Minnesota Task Force for Battered Women.

S. Kathryn liked to read and was creative in leading and sharing prayer with rituals. She moved to Saint Scholastica Convent in 2018 to continue her community living and ministry of prayer.

In her oral history, S. Kathryn said, “Everything is holy, and every moment is gratitude. There is God’s immeasurable love.” We rejoice with her as she now experiences her loving God face to face.

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In Loving Memory: Ramona (Phyllis) Bjork, OSB December 22, 1926 – June 28, 2023

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ister Ramona (Phyllis) ‌ Bjork, age ‌ 96, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on June 28, 2023.

Phyllis Bjork was born to Oscar and Rose Ann (Cota) Bjork, the oldest of their two children, in Glenwood, Minn., where she attended Glenwood Public Grade and High Schools. After two years as a student at the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in St. Joseph, Minn., she entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on September 13, 1946, and was received into the novitiate on June 17, 1947, as S. Ramona. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1948, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1951.

S. Ramona earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in philosophy at CSB, and she also attended St. Paul Diocesan Teachers’ College in St. Paul, Minn. She began her ministry of teaching as a substitute teacher of seventh and eighth grade at St. Mary’s School in Long Prairie, Minn. (1948–1949), and continued as a primary grade teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls, Minn. (1949–1950), at St. Mary’s in Melrose, Minn. (1950–1956), and at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud (1956–1961).

Following her teaching career, S. Ramona spent the next years doing office work, including assisting the record librarian at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud and as assistant purchaser for Saint Benedict’s Monastery (1961–1962). She moved to St. Joseph’s Convent in Pierz, Minn., to help with office work at Pierz Memorial High School (1962– 1963) and served Saint Benedict’s Monastery by working in the liturgy office and assisting the subprioress (1963–1968). S. Ramona also helped at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud (1968–1970) and at St. Raphael’s Nursing Home in St. Cloud

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(1970–1973). The latter she describes as her most unique experience in service to others as a receptionist and switchboard operator, as well as the most fulfilling work for herself personally: caring for the elderly.

When S. Ramona returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in 1973, she used her typing skills in the archives, the liturgy office, and the oblate office. From 1979 to 1983, she served as secretary for the liturgy office, and from 1983 to 1985, she assisted in the dining room.

S. Ramona in earlier years

From October 1985 until her mother’s death in June 1989, S. Ramona cared for her mother at her mother’s home in Glenwood. Returning to Saint Benedict’s Monastery, she assisted in the dining room and volunteered at various tasks. She especially enjoyed providing hospitality for the volunteers who helped with special community mailings. Throughout her life, music, dancing and singing were her delight!

In 2014, S. Ramona moved to Saint Scholastica Convent to continue her special community ministry of prayer. We rejoice with her as she now beholds her loving God face to face.

Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Rita (Cyprian) Kunkel, OSB May 30, 1936 – July 13, 2023

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ister Rita (Cyprian) ‌ Kunkel, ‌ age 87, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on July 13, 2023.

Rita was born the youngest of 12 children to Leo and Katherine (Resch) Kunkel in Pine City, Minn. She attended Kimball Public Grade School in Kimball, Minn., and Saint Benedict’s High School in St. Joseph, Minn. Rita entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on September 3, 1950, and was received into the novitiate on June 16, 1954, as Sister Cyprian. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1955, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1958, returning to her baptismal name in 1974.

S. Rita earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with minors in physics, mathematics, philosophy and secondary education from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), St. Joseph, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and received her license as a registered nurse in 1977. Through a diploma program at CSB, S. Rita earned a Certificate in Parish Nursing in 1997. She also attended Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Ill., Beaver College in Glenside, Pa., University of Minnesota in Duluth, Minn., and St. Scholastica’s College in Atchison, Kan. As an educator, S. Rita served as a teacher in elementary education at Holy Family School in Sauk Centre, Minn.

(1957–1958), at St. Mary’s Cathedral School in St. Cloud (1958–1961), and at St. Paul’s School in St. Cloud (1961), as well

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as in secondary education, teaching chemistry, physics and religion at St. Boniface High School in Cold Spring, Minn. (1963–1968), and at Saint Benedict’s High School (1968–1973).

Following teaching, S. Rita was assistant coordinator (1969–1973) and then community living coordinator (1973–1974) at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. This led to her long-desired ministry as a nurse. Her ministry in health care included serving at St. Cloud Hospital (1977–1981), at Saint Benedict’s Monastery (1981–1982), and as health care supervisor at Saint Scholastica Convent (1982–1988). She also ministered as nurse and instructor in the mental health unit at St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd, Minn. (1988–2001), and was certified as a psychiatric and mental health nurse in 1995.

In 2001, S. Rita returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to help with hospitality as the guest house coordinator. Retiring in 2021, she served as receptionist and helped with hospitality by giving tours for monastery guests. She moved to Saint Scholastica Convent for health reasons in December 2022.

S. Rita was gifted with a sense of humor and an engaging smile. She fulfilled each of the ministries she was asked to do with a generous heart and hospitable spirit. She commented, “God’s gifts far outweigh the challenges.” S. Rita enjoyed reading mystery books, assembling puzzles, and embroidering dish towels for the community’s gift shops.

S. Rita kept the cookie jar stocked as guest house coordinator!

S. Rita was deeply rooted in God’s compassion and love. For her, all of life was a gift! We rejoice with her as she enters eternal life and beholds her loving God face to face.

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Death by the Decade T

he sisters of Saint Benedict’s Monastery are expert recordkeepers. We have an expansive archives ‌‌ that provide a detailed look into the history of our community and the sisters, missions and ‌ ministries that have shaped us. For many years, this has included keeping and updating a detailed necrology of our sisters who have died. Sister Leora Juettner has held this task for the last several decades, a task she’s loved dearly and for which the community is most grateful.

The necrology book includes various lists that sort out information in multiple ways, including: » Alphabetical by religious name

» Alphabetical by family name » Month/day/year of death » Year of death

» Location of gravesite

You’ll find fascinating information within the pages of this book, including the number of deaths and average age at death in every decade since the 1860s.

If you’re interested in learning more about our history, visit our website at www.sbm.osb.org/ community/our-history/.

Tidbits From the Necrology

Decade

Number of Deaths

Average Age at Death

1860s

5

25

1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

4

26

25

30

29 32 54 41 72 98

112 133 120 136 142 129 132 42

29 40 45 48 64 69

76 78 78 86 87 90 89 90

In Loving Memory: Luke (Lucille) Hoschette, OSB September 18, 1925 – July 15, 2023

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ister Luke (Lucille) ‌ Hoschette, ‌ age 97, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on July 15, 2023.

Lucille was born the oldest of five children to William and Lucille (Becker) Hoschette in St. Paul, Minn. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on December 4, 1948, and was received into the novitiate on June 15, 1949, as S. Luke. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1950, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1953.

S. Luke earned a bachelor’s degree in business education from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), St. Joseph, in 1950, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind., in 1959, and a master’s degree in hospital administration from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., in 1966. She completed a hospital administration residency at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., from 1965 to 1966.

A lengthy ministry in business and administration began at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud as assistant bookkeeper in the business office (1950– 1956). From 1956 to 1959, S. Luke taught business education at

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CSB. After this, she worked as an intern in finance at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for the next eight months and then returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to serve in the business office.

From 1966 to 1971, S. Luke served as administrator at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden, Utah. She then returned to Saint Benedict’s Monastery to serve as assistant treasurer (1971–1973), as administrator at St. Raphael’s Home in St. Cloud (1973–1975), and as director of planning and development at the St. Cloud Hospital (1975–1978). In 1978, she returned to St. Benedict’s Hospital and served in various capacities that included mission effectiveness and as health care financial services coordinator, corporate secretary, and administrative assistant until retiring in 2003.

In 2011, S. Luke, with the help of volunteers, assembled the archives of Mount Benedict Monastery and Ogden Regional Medical Center.

She moved back to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in June 2013 after the community merged with Mount Benedict Monastery and served in hospitality and as an artisan for the community’s gift shops. In 2016, she moved to Saint Scholastica Convent to continue her community life of prayer and hospitality.

The Utah sisters (back, l to r): Sisters Danile Knight, Luke, Mary Zenzen, Iris Beckwith, and Marilyn Mark; (front, l to r): Sisters Jean Gibson and Stephanie Mongeon; taken by Paul Middelstaedt

The apostolate in health care in Utah was very important to S. Luke. In 2001, she was honored with the M. Corinne Holston Award, the highest honor an employee can receive, given to those who demonstrate excellence and commitment. Known as a perfectionist, a hard and reliable worker with great organizational skills, she was kindhearted with a wonderful sense of humor. She was an avid fan of Lawrence Welk and liked to crochet and create baby booties and lap robes for the elderly.

We rejoice with S. Luke as she now beholds her loving God face to face.

Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Mary (Frances) Pattison, OSB May 20, 1927 – July 18, 2023

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ister Mary (Frances) ‌ Pattison, ‌ age 96, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on July 18, 2023.

Frances Joan was born to Francis and Theresa (Prueher) Pattison in Eau Claire, Wis., the fifth of their eight children. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade and Durand Public High School in Durand, Wis., and graduated from St. Benedict’s High School in St. Joseph, Minn. Francis entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on August 31, 1944, and was received into the novitiate on June 17, 1947. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1948, at Saint Benedict’s Monastery and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1951, at Saint Bede’s Monastery, Eau Claire.

S. Mary received bachelor’s degrees in music from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and from Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wis. She also earned a master’s degree in religious studies from Webster College in St. Louis, Mo., and studied at Fordham University in New York, Boston College in Boston, Mass., and Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

With a passion for music, S. Mary served in music education, gave private piano lessons, directed choirs, and was an organist at St. Thomas More in La Crosse from 1948 to 1952 and again from 1956 to 1970, as well as at St. Mary’s School in Richland Center, Wis., from 1952 to 1956. She taught high school religion at Our Lady of Victory Academy at Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., for one year (1970–1971) while living with the Sisters of Mercy and at Saint Bede High School, Eau Claire, for one year (1971–1972).

From 1972 to 1980, S. Mary devoted eight years to community service as subprioress, during which

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time she also served the community as organist and liturgist. After completing her time as subprioress, S. Mary served in parish ministry at St. Olaf’s Parish (1980–1984) in Eau Claire, then as the director of Saint Bede’s Retreat and Conference Center (1984– 1986). 1986 marked the beginning of 14 years of parish work at St. Matthew’s Parish in Wausau, Wis. (1986–2000), where her responsibilities included coordinating adult education and the RCIA program, visiting parishioners at home and the hospital, and serving as part-time organist.

S. Mary pursued a long interest in ecumenical activities serving on diocesan and state ecumenical commissions.

She commented, “The summer of 1969 I spent in Brooklyn, N.Y., in a Lutheran congregation because I wanted a big experience, and I wanted an ecumenical experience.”

Thus, she spent 10 weeks Young S. Mary as a parish worker at St. John’s Evangelist Lutheran Church. While working in Eau Claire and Wausau, she helped newly arrived Hmong refugee families adjust to their lives in the United States and received two grants for work with the refugees from the Campaign for Human Development. Even with very limited eyesight, S. Mary was an avid reader and had great interest in world events.

On August 15, 2010, S. Mary rejoined Saint Benedict’s Monastery with the other members of Saint Bede’s Monastery, and she continued her ministry of prayer and community living.

Liturgy was at the heart of S. Mary’s study and work. We rejoice with her as she now worships and beholds her loving God face to face.

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In Loving Memory: Annette (Margaret) Brophy, OSB August 7, 1927 – August 31, 2023

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ister Annette (Margaret) ‌ Brophy, ‌ age 96, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on August 31, 2023.

Margaret was the fourth of seven children born to Edward William and Annette (Beninato) Brophy in Ogden, Utah, where she attended St. Joseph Grade School and Ogden High School. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn., on September 11, 1954, and was received into the novitiate on June 15, 1955, as S. Annette. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1956, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1959.

S. Annette received a bachelor’s degree in music with a minor in English at the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in St. Joseph. She also received a certificate in English as a foreign language at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., and attended the University of Tokyo and Language School in Rappangi, Tokyo, Japan.

Music combined with education formed S. Annette’s ministry as an educator. She served as a teacher and music instructor at Holy Family School in Sauk Centre, Minn. (1957–1958), at St. Mary’s School in Breckenridge, Minn. (1958– 1963), at St. John’s in Meire Grove, Minn. (1963–1966), and at Cathedral High School in Muroran, Japan (1967–1968). Returning S. Annette to Saint Benedict’s Monastery, she taught music and English for foreign students at Saint Benedict’s High School in St. Joseph. When it closed in 1973, S. Annette served as music librarian and taught voice classes at CSB, composed music, taught voice classes to several church choirs, and gave individual

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voice lessons.

It was living a contemplative lifestyle and discovering photography that nourished S. Annette’s deep love of nature and solitude.

Since 1981, she was a freelance photographer, and her camera became a tool for contemplation as she discovered that a camera allowed her to see more than her eyes could see. She wrote, “Photography helps me slow down. Even watching the images come up in the darkroom is a slow, contemplative, meditative process.” Thus, with Sister Galen Martini, a script writer, S. Annette published photographs for two audiovisual programs published by Liturgical Press: “Peace the Urgent Dream” and “Journey of Conversion.”

Her framed photographs and poetry became an ongoing visual prayer exhibit at the monastery’s Spirituality Center, and her photographs have also been exhibited at the Lindbergh Museum in Little Falls, Minn., at several banks in St. Cloud, at CSB, and at Whitby Gift Shop in the monastery’s Art and Heritage Place.

When inspired to plan a book about Benedictines and women across the world, S. Annette and Sister Mara Faulkner co-authored the book Born of Common Hungers: Benedictine Women in Search of Connection about the lives of Benedictine women across the world, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Ireland, England and Brazil. A grant from the Sexton Foundation enabled them to travel to these monasteries. They offered a photo exhibit based on their book at the monastery’s Whitby Gift Shop and CSB’s Benedicta Arts Center Gallery.

Exhibits of photos and poems all expressed S. Annette’s search for the sacred through beauty. We rejoice as she now beholds beauty with her loving God face to face.

Remember | In Memoriam

In Loving Memory: Theresa (Trinita) Lodermeier, OSB October 1, 1933 – October 19, 2023

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ister Theresa (Trinita) ‌ Lodermeier, ‌‌ age 90, died peacefully at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn., on October 19, 2023.

Theresa was the youngest of nine children born to Michael and Sophia Rose (Roeder) Lodermeier in St. Joseph, Minn., where she attended St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and Saint Benedict’s High School. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, on September 12, 1951, and was received into the novitiate as Sister Trinita on June 18, 1952. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1953, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1956. She returned to her baptismal name in 1968.

S. Theresa received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with minors in English and philosophy from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in St. Joseph. She also attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minn., St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, and an Institute for RCIA at Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minn. In addition, she received a certificate of ministry from CSB.

Throughout her monastic life, S. Theresa served in a variety of ministries. She began her teaching career at St. Paul’s School in St. Cloud (1953–1957) followed by serving as principal and teacher of fifth through eighth grades at St. John the Baptist in Collegeville (1957–1963). For 11 years, S. Theresa served in the Bahamas as teacher at St. Joseph’s in Nassau (1963–1968), as teacher and principal in Hunter, Grand Bahamas (1968–1972), and as religious education director at St. Joseph’s Parish in Nassau (1972–1974). This was a time “full of wonderful experiences and insights.” Living with the Bahamian sisters immersed in another culture, environment and spirituality was enriching for her.

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Returning to Saint Benedict’s Monastery, S. Theresa taught at Saints Peter and Paul Middle School in St. Cloud (1974–1977), followed by teaching religion at Cathedral High School/John XXIII in St. Cloud (1977–1982). She served as director of religious education at Holy Family Parish in Belle Prairie, Minn. (1982–1991), and as community life coordinator at St. Raphael’s Convent in St. Cloud (1991–1999).

S. Theresa participated in a spiritual renewal program in Santa Fe, N.M., for several months and later opened Sophia House of Prayer in Hampton, Minn. (1999–2002). From 2002 to 2006, she served as coordinator of religious education at St. Pius V Parish in Cannon Falls, Minn., and S. Theresa working then moved to St. Mary’s in the gardens Mission in Red Lake, Minn., where she coordinated their store (2006–2009), welcoming “everyone who walks into St. Mary’s Mission as walking into Christ’s embrace.”

In 2009, S. Theresa returned to the monastery where she worked in environmental services, the gardens, physical plant and transportation. She moved to Saint Scholastica Convent in 2015 and to Saint Benedict’s Senior Community in 2016.

To be a missionary was S. Theresa’s desire! All her ministry was “missionary ministry.” Speaking of her first profession name, S. Trinita, she said, “The love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and the emptying out of Jesus Christ to become one of us is so fantastic! That spirituality deepened my heart.”

S. Theresa delighted in God’s creation. We rejoice with her as she beholds her loving Creator God face to face.

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“Yearn

for everlasting life with holy desire.

Day by day, remind yourself that you are going to die.”

Rule of Benedict Chapter 4:46–47

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In Loving Memory: Make a Memorial Gift

I

n life, our departed loved ones blessed us with cherished moments, immense joy, and unconditional ‌ love. In death, they leave us with a lifetime of fond memories and a profound ‌ legacy that will guide us each day as we await our joyful reunion.

If you’re looking for a way to honor your deceased loved one in a meaningful way, consider a memorial gift given to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict. Memorial gifts offer you the opportunity to remember a loved one, including sisters, and, at the same time, support the mission and ministries of the sisters.

When you give, we can send a card to the family of the deceased to let them know of your thoughtful gift—you simply need to provide an address of where you would like the card sent.

The amount of your gift is not disclosed.

If you’d like to honor a loved one in this way, contact Sister Nina Lasceski, director of development, at plannedgiving@csbsju.edu or (320) 363-7051.