Born on January 10, 1941, in Garrison, N.D., Sister Anna Rose Ruhland was third in a family of seven children–three girls and four boys (one boy died at the age of one and a half). The family lived on a dairy and small grains farm west of Garrison. During her youth, Anna Rose was active in school and 4-H activities.  Anna Rose entered Sacred Heart Convent in Minot, N.D., on November 15, 1959. She made her first profession on July 17, 1961.

Sister Anna Rose graduated from White Shield School and after entering the convent; she attended The College of St. Catherine’s, St. Paul, Minnesota where she obtained her degree in Foods and Nutrition. She completed her Dietetic Internship from St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. In 1976 she obtained her master’s degree in Food and Nutrition from North Dakota State University, Fargo. Sister Anna Rose has worked as a dietitian at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Bismarck and St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby. She also did nutrition consultation to hospitals and nursing homes throughout the western part of North Dakota. After obtaining her master’s degree, she worked for three years at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck. Beginning in 1980, Sister Anna Rose worked as a Tribal Nutritionist for the Three Affiliated Tribes at the Ft. Berthold Reservation. In 1991, she became a Public Health Nutritionist for the Diabetes Program at the Indian Health Service in New Town, N.D.

In 1997, after thirty-one years of nutrition work, Sister Anna Rose made a career change to doing parish ministry work. In the fall of 1998 she started Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at the Mayo Hospitals in Rochester, MN. After completing her CPE, October 1999, she began working as a Chaplin at St. Vincent’s Care Center, Bismarck, ND.

Coming from a German from Russian background work ethic has been a great influence on my life. I was born on a farm south of New England, North Dakota, on May 27, 1934 and baptized four days later on May 31st.   I am the twelfth of fourteen children; eleven sons and three daughters.

My parents Albinus and Eugeinia (Greff) Heidt had a farm in Hettinger County. Even though there were fourteen of us, work was not lacking for any of us. We had no electricity or water in the house and of course no telephone. My job was carrying water for drinking, washing clothes and bathing.

Our activities revolved around home, school and church. We were all born at home with the help of a mid-wife. We attended our first eight grades in a one room school one quarter of a mile from home. We very seldom missed school because of the weather.

In September of 1950 I entered the convent and attended High School at Sacred Heart Academy in Minot, North Dakota. At that time it was not unusual to enter the convent at a young age – I was only 16 years old.   With four other young women I felt right at home.   My vocation was greatly influenced by my mother and Father Bolton. During this time there was High School to complete and going through the steps to become a professed Sister.

My early profession was being a primary teacher. I taught for twenty five years; teaching first and /or second grade at Garrison, North Dakota, and Little Flower and St. Leo’s schools both in Minot, North Dakota. During the summer I was off to school to complete college, a Bachelor of Arts at Minot State College, Minot, North Dakota, and College of Great Falls, Great Falls, Montana.

After receiving my Masters in Religious Education from the University of Seattle, Washington, I ministered in parish ministry at Corpus Christi, Bismarck, North Dakota, and St. Mary’s, Lemmon, South Dakota. I was the hospital chaplain at Trinity Medical Center in Minot, North Dakota, for approximately twenty five years. I found this time rewarding and challenging. Ministering to the sick and dying seemed to be good preparation for retirement and life eternal.

Sister Dolores currently resides at the Richardton Health Center.

Sister Janeane was born on June 28, 1932 in Zeeland, ND to Anton and Elisabeth Klein. She was the second youngest of seven children. She attended country grade school and Zeeland High School.

In January 1951, she entered Sacred Heart Convent in Minot, ND. She later attended Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD in 1952 to acquire a degree as a Medical Technologist. She interned in 1954 at St. Alexius in Bismarck, ND in their Medical Technology School. She was a medical technologist and x-ray tech for many years at St. Luke’s Hospital in Crosby, ND. 

On June 5, 1977 Sister Janeane celebrated her Silver Jubilee. In 1984, she began working at St. Vincent’s Care Center in Bismarck, ND as a nurse aide and receptionist until 1992. Sister Janeane celebrated her Golden Jubilee on August 15, 2002.  According to Sister Janeane, religious life offers a peace such as the world could not give. This has been important to her in her years in the Community.  

Sister Janeane currently resides at St. Vincent’s Care Center in Bismarck.

Sister Jill West is the fifth child and first girl born to Terry and Donna West. She was born March 10, 1960 in Plentywood, Montana. The family lived in Outlook, MT where she grew up with her four older brothers and two younger sisters. Sister Jill was active in her favorite sports of basketball, track, and softball in high school. She was very active in her church, St. Boniface. She graduated from Outlook High School in 1978. 

Sister Jill attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT for two years and then transferred to the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. She then worked a year before entering Sacred Heart Monastery in 1983. 

After completing her novitiate at the Monastery, Sister Jill worked in Minot, ND as a school social worker for Souris Valley Special Services. Later, she moved to Dickinson where she worked as a therapist for Badlands Human Service Center. Eventually, Sister Jill found her way back to the Monastery where she worked as the Vocation Director until she decided to pursue her graduate degree in social work. 

Sister Jill completed her Masters at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1994, where she specialized in medical social work with emphasizes in geriatric care. Since then Sister Jill has worked as a medical social worker and is currently employed with Sanford Health as a hospice social worker. Sister Jill loves her work and finds fulfillment and grace ministering to those who are dying. 

Sister Jill has also worked for her community as a Vocation and Volunteer Director, Assistant Liturgy Director and Sub-prioress. She has served on the board and council as well as other various boards for the community. Sister Jill was elected to the Federation Council and served from 2009-2014. She enjoyed her time on the Federation Council as it allowed her the opportunity to visit and work with the many communities in the federation. 

Sister Jill made final profession of vows June 15, 1991. She enjoys spending time with her community, family, and friends. Her interests are reading, listening and playing music, exercising, fishing and camping. Anyone who knows Sister Jill is aware that she is a huge football fan and loves her Minnesota Vikings.

Sister Kathleen was born November 26, 1929, at Fallon, North Dakota to Frank and Eva (Gerhardt) Kuntz. She is the ninth of fourteen children. With her six brothers and seven sisters, she was raised on a farm near Fallon. Her family was deeply religious and so Sister Kathleen’s spiritual journey began at a tender age. She attended Saints Peter and Paul School in Fallon where she had Benedictine Sisters as her teachers. 

In 1946, Sister Kathleen entered Sacred Heart Convent at Minot, and made her monastic profession on July 21, 1948. Over the next several years she alternated between going to school and teaching. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Minot State and a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in Chicago. 

Sister Kathleen ministered as a teacher and principal at Saint Nicholas in Garrison, Saint Leo’s in Minot, and Colegio Hermanas Benedictinas in Bogotá, Colombia. Later she did parish ministry for eight years at the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation and served as pastoral care director at Saint Vincent’s Care Center in Bismarck for four years. 

She has also served the monastic community in several capacities. In addition to serving on several boards and committees she was formation director 1958-62 and 1973-80 and is presently serving on the formation team. She held the position of subprioress 1973-80 and 2005-09. As hobbies, Sister Kathleen enjoys knitting, beading, and the weaving of pouches from llama wool. She appreciates nature, with the beauty of sunrises and sunsets helping her experience the peace and presence of God on the prairie.

Sister Lucille (Viola) was born to Albinus and Eugenia (Greff) Heidt on August 23, 1935, thirteenth of fourteen children. She was born on the family farm near DeSart, North Dakota (south of New England).   Sister Lucille attended grade school one-fourth mile from their home. 

On November 27, 1951 Viola entered Sacred Heart Convent in Minot, ND. She professed final vows August 24, 1956. Religious life for Sister Lucille has been very flexible and full.  She has worked as a cook, laundress and in maintenance at the Monastery and served at Garrison, Crosby, St. Vincent’s in Bismarck, North Dakota and also at Fallon and Malta, MT.  Sister Lucille served on the board of monastic Core Committee, St. Vincent’s Board and the Subiaco Manor Board of Directors, and currently serves on several boards outside of the monastic community. 

Sister Lucille was the last remnant of the Sisters’ original mission, having lived and worked on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation from 1989 to June 2016 serving in Pastoral Ministry. She was a true Benedictine missionary presence there, conducting and/or assisting in funerals, wakes, catechism, pastoral ministry and counseling. She often spent each July cooking, supervising, chaperoning, and catechizing at the Mandaree Mission Christian Camp.

Sister Laura was born April 15, 1935, on the family farm originally homesteaded by her paternal-grand parents and located twenty-two miles northwest of Dickinson, North Dakota. Her mother, Veronica Lantz, and her father, Mike Hecker, had six children: four girls (one of whom died in infancy) and two boys. One of her brothers still lives on the original homestead. 

She was named Franziska Rosa after her two grandmothers. The name ‘Laura’ was given to her when she made her religious profession. Her family was of German heritage; therefore; Sister Laura spoke very little English until she started school. She attended a country school two miles from her home. She attended Model High in Dickinson, N.D. for one year and later finished high school by passing the State High School Achievement Test. 

Sister Laura credits her mother and father with being the most influential people in her life. Her mother taught her cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and embroidery, as well as a love of growing plants. Her father passed on to all his children his love of music always having musical instruments in the house and encouraging his children to learn to play them. Due to his influence Sister Laura plays both the piano and the banjo by ear. 

Sister Laura worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson until February of 1965, then as a clinical instructor there until September 1966. During her nurse’s training there were two Sisters she had as instructors who also influenced her decision to finally enter religious life. 

Sister Laura entered Sacred Heart Priory at Minot, N.D., in September of 1966, at the age of 31. She was searching for something more. After she lived in Minot a year, the Sisters moved to Richardton, N.D. where she professed her final vows in 1971. 

Six years after entering the convent Sister Laura graduated from the Portland Oregon Medical Technology Program. She then went on to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she became a Certified Chaplain in 1980. In addition Sister Laura earned a Certificate of Ministry from St. Louis University in 1983 and obtained a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies at Aquinas Institute, St. Louis in 1984.

Sister Laura began her ministry as a Medical Record Technician first in Crosby, N.D. and later in Richardton. She has worked as Chaplain at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Bismarck, N.D. After Sister Laura obtained her Masters in Pastoral Studies she returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital where she worked as chaplain and Director of Spiritual Care services for 25 years. She retired from St. Joseph’s Hospital on January 30, 2004. 

In July of 2005, Sister Laura attended a program for Spiritual Direction at Mercy Center, Colorado Springs, CO. She presently is coordinating the health care at Sacred Heart Monastery and giving some Spiritual Direction. In June 2011 she was also appointed to the position of Subprioress at Sacred Heart Monastery.

I was born February 8, 1947, on our farm/ranch 14 miles from Napoleon, North Dakota.  My parents were Deacon Howard and Hertha (Mathews) Hunkler.  I’m the fourth child in a family of ten (three sisters and six brothers): Madeline Gross, Angela, Joseph, Cyril, Frank, John, Cec Reetz, Bernard, and Fr. Jerome. 

My parents, who were both converts to the Catholic faith, lovingly passed on to me the gift of faith and were a great example to me of a virtuous life. They instilled in me a love of the land, a good work ethic, taught me a sense of responsibility, how to live life simply, and how to share with those who have less than I do, and countless other life lessons that I strive to live out today. 

I entered Sacred Heart Convent in Minot, as an Aspirant in 1961, when I began high school as a freshman at Sacred Heart Academy.  I made First Vows in 1966 and Perpetual Vows in 1973.  This Sacred Heart Monastery Community has truly been my family for many years.  My educational background consists of an A.B. Degree in Theology from St. Louis University in 1975, an M.A. Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Seattle University in 1982, and Certification as a Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains in 1987, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, Tucson, AZ, in 2020. 

I have been involved in many ministries over the years including education, parish ministry,  pastoral care ministry, leadership in community, and spiritual direction.  I taught at St. Nicholas in Garrison, ND and at St. Leo’s and Bishop Ryan in Minot, ND.  I did parish ministry at Foxholm, Berthold, Our Lady of Grace and St. Leo’s in Minot and at Queen of Peace in Dickinson, ND.  I have done pastoral care at St Vincent’s Care Center, Bismarck, ND; Lutheran General, Park Ridge, IL; St. Luke’s Midland Regional Medical Center, Aberdeen, SD; St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson, ND, and  the Benedictine Living Community, Wahpeton, ND.  I was elected ninth Prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery on April 21, 2001, and was installed and served as Prioress from June 3, 2001 until June 3, 2005. Following our motherhouse move to Dickinson in 2019, I am ministering as a Spiritual Director, do volunteer work at a domestic violence shelter, team with a person to provide music at a local parish as scheduled, and help out wherever I can here at our monastery, along with being our community musician. 

My prayer life, communal and private, is the most important part of my monastic life, and feeds my being daily.  Some of the aspects of life that I enjoy include:  playing the organ; listening to classical and semi-classical music; walking outside and enjoying nature on the prairies and anywhere outside; savoring the quiet; remembering birthdays and namedays; caring for houseplants; reading; creating cards, being a blood donor, recycling, mentoring persons, enjoying children , especially my grand-nieces/nephews.  Anyone who knows me knows I love to make lists!  I also love to help make someone’s day a little better. 

Life continues to get better and better as I continue to seek God in a deeper manner in our Benedictine community one day at a time.  “That in all things, God may be glorified.”

Sister Michael was born September 30, 1939 to Harmil and Edna Emond. Due to her premature birth, 3 months early, her bed was in a shoebox in the warmer oven in the old cook stove. She was fed with an eyedropper. She was raised on the same ranch, which she was born, 40 miles south of Malta, Montana. 

Sister Michael has 4 brothers and 4 sisters; there are two sets of twins in her family. A set of twin boys and 18 months later her mother had a set of twin girls. She and her siblings grew up helping with all the chores and learning to cook and bake. They went to a country school 1½ miles from home, walking both ways when the weather was good. Sister Michael went to 4 years of high school at Sacred Heart Academy, Minot, ND. She joined the Monastery in 1955. 

Sister Michael worked at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home for 2 years as Director of Nursing and then went to St. Luke’s Hospital, Crosby, ND as Director of Nursing. While there she worked floor duty and anesthesia. She also served as Director of Nursing at the Nursing home in Malta, MT and did anesthesia at the hospital there. 

In 1981 Sister Michael moved to Lemmon SD where she worked as a Physician Assistant for the clinic and Emergency Room call. In 1982 she moved to Hettinger, ND. She went with the same group of doctors from Lemmon, to work the night clinic and emergency room at West River Regional Hospital. She served in that community until 2007. At the end of April 2008, she started to work for Richardton Clinic as a Physician Assistant. Prior to and during her work history Sister Michael’s studies took her from becoming an RN in 1963, to an Anesthetist in 1972 and becoming a Physician Assistant in 1979. 

When asked what drew her to the Monastery she says, “My love for Jesus and being able to share my love of Jesus and my life in medicine to all I come in contact with.” Sister Michael currently resides at the Monastery. She enjoys reading, making pickles and candy, walking, and doing any job that she is capable of doing. 

Her advice to others is to “Pray for guidance – if you hear God calling you to the religious life, please respond and know that He will be with you every step of the way”.

Sister Patti Koehler was born April 6, 1969 in Wolf Point, Montana (Fort Peck Sioux, Assiniboine Indian Reservation). She was the only child to survive of her six brothers and sisters that were born to Arnold and Joan Koehler. She helped in the family “Gambles Store” when needed and enjoyed the Girl Scouts. As a family they would go swimming, fishing and camping, things that she continues to enjoy doing to this day. Patti attended both grade school and high school in Wolf Point, but her family and she moved to Billings, MT, her senior year where in 1987 she graduated from Senior High, High School. 

After high school Patti moved to Havre, MT, and attended Northern Montana College for 2 years. During this time she was active in the Lutheran Church. She then retuned to Billings, MT, after her mother’s death where she began attending St. Pius Catholic Church. In 1994 she finished the initiation process and was accepted into the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil. During this time she worked two jobs, one in supportive living and another in group homes for developmentally disabled adults. 

When Patti thought about becoming a Sister, her first attraction was to the Benedictine way of life, and prayer. In 1996 she joined and became finally professed in a small community of Benedictine Sisters at Queen of Angels Monastery in Liberty, MO. She continued to minister to and work with developmentally disabled adults. She also worked in respite care and at the Liberty Hospital as a CNA, and medications tech. In 2005, Sr. Patti transferred her Vows to Sacred Heart Monastery, Richardton, ND, and now is a full member here. 

Sister Patti takes pleasure in the outdoors where she can go camping, hiking, or just take an opportunity to be with nature. She has found that she loves the “fiber arts,” and enjoys spinning and felting with wools and silks.

Sister Paula Larson was born in Scobey, Montana to Florence (Fouhy) and Lawrence Larson. She was raised on a farm near Peerless with her only brother, Patrick. He has blessed Sister Paula with three nephews and one niece.

Sister Paula entered the Benedictine Sisters in 1963. In 1973, she received a Bachelors degree in Theology and Nursing from Creighton University in Omaha; a Masters of Science in 1975 from the University of Wisconsin in Madison; and Masters in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in 1989. 

Sister Paula worked all of her religious life in nursing, primarily psych-mental health nursing until June of 1989 when she became Prioress of her Benedictine Monastery. Sister Paula was elected for three terms as prioress and served in that capacity until June 2001. During her years as prioress the community successfully renovated the chapel, added a new spirituality addition to the Monastery, erected wind turbines, began raising llamas, created a development and advancement department through creation of a Foundation, conducted a successful capital campaign for the on-going support of the Sisters and their ministries, created a formal spirituality center as well as on-going formation programs for the Sisters, acquired Subiaco Manor, and in general upgraded the environment both internal and external to the Monastery for the purpose of furtherance of the monastic life into the twenty first century. In addition, Sister Paula has served the wider community by serving on numerous boards and commissions. 

After a sabbatical program, Sister Paula assisted Queen of Peace Monastery, Belcourt, North Dakota with dissolution and sale of their Monastery. This was followed by working as Executive Director for St. Benedict’s Foundation, Ogden, Utah. 

In August 2005, Sister Paula returned to Sacred Heart Monastery as Administrative Assistant to the Prioress for business and Executive Director of Sacred Heart Benedictine Foundation.   In June of 2011 Sister Paula became the eleventh prioress of the Monastery. 

Her special interests are woodworking, caring for the monastery dog Molly and other animals. Also, she loves to visit and meet new people and entertain new thoughts and concepts.

Sister Phoebe was born September 16, 1958, as Barbara, the first child and only daughter to Ferdinand and Joan (Boyer) Schwartze, in San Bernardino, CA. When she was five, her family moved to Freeman, SD, where Barbara attended school and graduated from Freeman High School in May, 1976. Growing up, Barbara enjoyed reading, swimming, camping with her Girl Scout troop, and being a big sister to her four younger brothers, the youngest of whom she was guardian of for four years. The family attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marion, SD, where Barbara had her First Communion and was confirmed. 

During and after High School, Barbara worked at the local Printery and then attended the University of SD in Vermillion for two years. She then settled in Rapid City, where she lived for 13 years. While living in Rapid City, she worked with Black Hills Workshop where she managed a group home for developmentally disabled adults. Barbara was very involved with her parish as a liturgical minister and member of the Liturgy committee. She worked with the Diocesan retreat committee. An avid traveler, Barbara has been to Spain, Mexico and France with groups that combined her love of history and languages. While living in Rapid City, she enjoyed exploring the Black Hills. 

Barbara first visited Sacred Heart Monastery in November of 1993 and immediately felt at home. It took a few more months of discernment before she was ready to say yes to God’s call. She entered the Monastery on January 19, 1995. Upon becoming a Novice on January 6, 1996, she received the name Phoebe, after St. Paul’s co-worker named in Romans 16:1-2. She made her First Monastic Profession on January 19, 1997 and Final Monastic Profession on May 26, 2001. In 1998, Sister Phoebe received a BA from Dickinson State University in Spanish and History. 

Sister Phoebe was the Administrator of Marillac Manor in Bismarck from August 1997 until August 2003. Marillac Manor, an independent living facility for the elderly, is one of the works sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters of Richardton.  She was very proud to carry on the work her Sisters had built. 

After two years in graduate school in Colorado to earn a Masters degree in Public History, she worked for 7½ years as DRE and Liturgical Coordinator for Queen of Peace parish in Dickinson, ND. 

Sister Phoebe likes to read, walk, swim, cook, watch movies and play cards and Trivial Pursuit.  She has volunteered as a small group counselor for the Good Grief Program.  She serves on the Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway Committee as Chairperson. Sister Phoebe feels very blessed that God has called her to seek God with the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery.

How one can pack a whole life into a few words is beyond me, but I shall try. I was born in Macon, GA, on September 11, 1946, while my dad was the radio operator for the Macon Police Department. Shortly thereafter, however, he reentered the service and we began life on the move quite literally. I could not even name all the places where we lived, but suffice it to say that I remember (from about age four) living in 16 different places before I entered the convent at age sixteen. I had attended ten schools before I graduated from high school. 

Life in the Air Force was one grand adventure after another and I am grateful for its experience. The nearly continuous relocating helped to make me adaptable to various cultures and situations, to appear braver than I actually was in meeting people and asserting myself, and to let go of the old so I could grasp the new. My parents loved one another and us three kids deeply, so the close family bond was never threatened even when Dad would be away from us for up to 14 months at a time. Neither of my parents divided life into women and men’s “work,” so I grew up in an environment of gender equality. They did for one another and for us out of love and taught us to do the same. We were also exceptionally hospitable to the young GIs and always “adopted” several in every place we lived, giving them a home away from home. 

While these may seem somewhat ironic beginnings to committing myself to a community in the furthest north we had ever lived and consisting overwhelmingly of women from North Dakota or Montana who had lived pretty much in the same area all their lives, God spoke clearly and surely and so it came to be. I was and am simply meant to be a Benedictine in this community. God could not have blessed me more. 

I have been a teacher most of my life in grade school, high school, but mostly university. While my BA and MA are in Speech/Theatre and I have taught mostly speech, communication and English courses and I have greatly loved my teaching years in which I learned so much. My other love is in the field of my second MA, Christian Spirituality. I thoroughly enjoy teaching formation classes and giving retreats, primarily in the area Benedictine monastic spirituality. 

My interests and background serve me well in being editorial assistant for The American Benedictine Review, a scholarly publication, a work I have enjoyed since 1982. I am again editor for our community newsletter, The Benedictine Witness, and our Sacred Heart Benedictine Foundation newsletter, Promise of the Prairie. For the American Benedictine Academy, I have edited the convention proceedings for publication and served as the managing editor of The American Monastic Newsletter in the past, but now serve on the Academy’s board of directors. Obviously, I like words! 

After twenty years as resident manager at our Subiaco Manor in Dickinson, an apartment complex for independent elderly and teaching at Dickinson State University, I returned to the Monastery to take up other works. Since my return I serve as director for our Foundation, and as a member of our monastic board and council. 

It may, then, come as a surprise that by nature I daily need silence and solitude to cultivate prayer, and I need my community and Divine Office to help form me. For hobbies I am an avid reader, dedicated cross stitcher, and a positively rabid DSU Blue Hawk fan. My life is rich and full of many blessings!