Sister Mary Ann Welsch, 71 Crookston - Sister Mary Ann Welsch, 71, died on Sunday, June 13, 2004, leaving behind forever the suffering which had been her constant companion for many years. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 16 (today), at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Rev. Michael Foltz as celebrant and Rev. Timothy McGee as homilist. Mary Anna Welsch was born in Grygla, the third of seven children of Thomas and Ann (Bauer) Weslsch. She attended elementary schools in Grygla and Thief River Falls, and high school at Mount St. Benedict of Crookston. In 1949, she joined the sisters of St. Benedict of Crookston, and made her permanent commitment at Mount St. Benedict Monastery in 1954. She earned a bachelor's degree in social studies from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, a specialists degree in school administration from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and a degree in spirituality and counseling from Fordham University, Bronx, N.Y. Sister Mary Ann made a remarkable contribution to Catholic education. Over the course of 46 years, she served as teacher and administrator in the parochial schools of Red Lake Falls, Mahnomen, Mahtomedi, Osseo, Crookston and Moorhead, and as Religious Education Coordinator and Pastoral Minister at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Warren. As principal she initiated teacher training for a health curriculum called, "Growing Healthy," the first reading/math program in the United States via modem for students in need, and served on numerous committees devoted to Catholic education. She also facilitated human relations seminars for school personnel throughout Minnesota. As a nominee for the "Woman of the Year," award in 2000, she was cited for her special dedication to the work of evangelization and her ability to empower others to use their gifts to their fullest capacity. Sister Mary Ann served as Pastoral Minister at St. Bernard's Church in Thief River Falls from 2000 to 2002 and a subprioress under Sister Catherine Merck from July 2002 until May 2004 when illness required her admission to the Health Center at Mount St. Benedict Monastery. She resided at Villa St. Vincent from June 9, 2004 until her time of death. Survivors include two sisters, Joan (Art) Schmitz of Red Lake Falls and Bertha (Art) Bernier of Cave Creek, Ariz.; three brothers, Andrew (Agnes) of Glenwood City, Wis.; Thomas (Pat) of Orange Park, Fla., John (Frances) of Great Falls, Mont.; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and by the members of Mount St. Benedict Monastery, Crookston. Sister May Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her step father, Andrew Hoefer; and a brother, James. A00003B2004JN16

[obits/_includes/foot.htm]