S. Cordula Walker OSB, 96, died Tuesday, January 5, 2010 in the Sacred Heart Monastery Care Center.

   A wake service will be held Thursday, January 7th at 7:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 8th in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel.  Burial will be in the monastery cemetery.

   Wintz & Ray Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.

   Rosaleen Walker was born April 23, 1913 in Wassen, Kt. Uri, Switzerland to Julius and Paulina (Imhof) Walker.  She was the youngest of sixteen children.  After a brief time in the United States prior to their marriage, her parents returned to Switzerland in 1898 and operated a large lumber and sawmill business along with a farm.  As a child Rosaleen helped with the family business.  She attended elementary and two years of high school in Menzingen.

   As a teenager, she felt called to the religious life.  Her parish priest gave her some materials from the Yankton Benedictine’s recruiting house in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. At the age of 18, Rosaleen entered Marienheim in Einsiedeln.  Before leaving for America, she prayed “Be good to me, Lord.  My boat is so small, the sea is so wide.”  She came to Sacred Heart Monastery in May, 1934.  She made first profession in June 1936 as Sister Cordula and final profession in 1940.

   S. Cordula’s ministry included many years as a prefect at the mission schools in Chamberlain and Stephan, SD.  She then served as housekeeping supervisor at Mount Marty College and also worked in the audio-visual center at the college.  In 1981 she became a Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart Hospital which she said was “an honor to bring the bread of life to the sick members of Christ’s body.”  For many years, S. Cordula graced the monastery refectory with candles and table decoration for all occasions.

   S. Cordula was a creative person and a loyal friend to many.  She was very proud of her Swiss heritage and was always ready to share a genuine Swiss yodel to enhance any celebration.  She was the last of the European-born Sisters who entered Sacred Heart Monastery via Marienheim.

   S. Cordula is survived by her Benedictine community and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and fifteen siblings.

    Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her.

                                                        May She Rest in Peace.