S. Denise Stevens OSB, 87, died October 16, 2009 at Sacred Heart Monastery Care Center, Yankton.
A wake service was held October 20 at 7:30 pm, and the Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 am on October 20 in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel. Burial was in the monastery cemetery.
Bernice Rita Elizabeth Stevens was born on May 13, 1922 to Henry and Margaret (Eickhoff) Stevens near Bow Valley, NE. She was the youngest of ten children. When she was four, the family moved to the outskirts of Hartington, NE. She attended Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Holy Trinity High School shortly after her seventeenth birthday in 1939. Following her high school graduation, she began working for Dr. Dorsey in Hartington for $3.00 per week. Realizing that her call in life was not to the nursing profession she became secretary to A.J. Lammers, a local real estate and insurance man and later worked in the Bank of Hartington for E.W. Rossiter.
While make a novena for peace during World War II, S. Denise felt a call to enter religious life. After consulting with her pastor and making a lay retreat at Mount Marty that summer, she responded to the call and entered Sacred Heart Monastery on September 4, 1944. She became a novice on June 23, 1945 and received the name Denise. She made first profession on June 24, 1946 and perpetual profession in 1949. After two years of elementary teaching she began studies at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN and earned a BS degree in Library Science in 1950. S. Denise returned to Yankton to become the librarian at Mount Marty College from 1950 – 1973. During that time she earned a Master’s degree in library science from Rosary College in River Forest, IL and spent a sabbatical year in Ann Arbor, MI. In 1973, she became the monastery procurator (business manager) and served the community in that capacity until 1981. She then ministered at Madonna Professional Care Center in Lincoln, NE, Mount Marty College, and most recently at the monastery in several areas including the Peace Center.
A quiet woman, S. Denise had a love of music and literature and was a regular attendee at cultural events at Mount Marty College and within the Yankton Community. She enjoyed nature and spending time with family and friends.
S. Denise is survived by her Benedictine community; her sister, Irene Spratt, Aurora, CO; brother, Walter (Ruth) of Fort Dodge, IA; and sister-in-laws, Ann Stevens, Hartington, and Norma Stevens, Yankton as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters.
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Her O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Her.
May She Rest in Peace. |
