S. Bernice Thomas OSB

S. Bernice Thomas OSB, age 93, died Monday, February 9, 2009 in the Monastery Care Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

The wake will be held on Wednesday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. and the Funeral Mass celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 12 in Bishop Marty Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery. Wintz & Ray Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Bernadine Thomas was born April 29, 1915 to Adam and Mary Ann (Weisbeck) Thomas near Bowdle, SD. She was second oldest in a family of nine children. She went to a country school through the 8th grade. Hard times prevented her attending high school even though she had a strong desire to do so. At age fifteen she felt called to religious life but was advised by family members that she was too young and should wait a few years. At the age of eighteen in 1933 she again felt drawn to religious life and sent a letter of request to Sacred Heart Monastery. She entered the community on August 28, 1933. She became a novice in 1935 receiving the name, Bernice. She made her first profession the following year and her final profession in 1940.

During the novitiate she was asked what she would like to do for a ministry and "with all the fervor of my heart, I replied, anything obedience would ask. Yes, I knew it may be cooking. To the depths of my heart I always liked it." Her many years in active ministry were in food service at schools in Fort Yates, ND, Chamberlain, Epiphany and Polo, SD, and at hospitals and nursing homes in Pierre, Yankton, Tyndall and Parkston, SD, as well as the monastery bakery.

S. Bernice had an outgoing personality and was known for her many unique descriptive words and phrases. She loved to read, tend plants, crochet, cook and spend time with her friends.

She is survived by her Benedictine community; three brothers: Matt, John and August; and two sisters: Catherine Fischer and Lucille Hoden. Her parents, two brothers and one sister preceded her in death.

View All Local Obituaries