Obituary for Sister Moira Paulus
Sister Moira Paulus, 94, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, went home to God Dec.18 at Garrison Memorial Hospital, Garrison.
Sister Moira (birth name Jeverne Anna) was born July 12, 1913, in Cooks Valley, Wis. to George and Anna (Steinmetz) Paulus. She was the fourth of 10 children who remained close to each other all their lives. Their family gatherings were always fun and filled with hearty laughter.
In 1933 Sister Moira left home to enter St. Benedict’s Monastery’s, St. Joseph, Minn. After making monastic profession on July 11, 1935, she came to St. Alexius Medical Center and was educated as a laboratory technician. In 1938 she was sent to St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, Minn. to serve in the laboratory.
She graduated with a B.S. degree in medical technology from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. in 1945 and spent the next 50 years serving in health care in North Dakota.
She directed the laboratory at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, was administrator and director of the laboratory and X-Ray departments at Richardton Hospital, Richardton, and served 35 years at Garrison Memorial Hospital. Here she held a variety of positions including director of the laboratory, housekeeping supervisor, and executive housekeeper.
A charter member of the state’s society for medical technology, she served as secretary-treasurer and chair of the program, membership and publicity committees. She was awarded emeritus membership in the American Society for Medical Technology for her outstanding service to the profession and the society.
A friendly, outgoing, determined woman, Sister Moira never did things halfway. This trait saved a man’s life. One day she desperately needed a donor with a rare blood type. She knew a man with this blood type who worked at a local garage. She persistently called the garage until he was found under a car unconscious from carbon monoxide. He never gave blood that day, but stopped by the hospital to thank her for saving his life.
Sister Moira gave herself to her work, but also found time to relax and have fun. She enjoyed fishing, swimming, reading and just being around people. When she celebrated her 50th anniversary of monastic profession, 45 of her family members came and spent several days enjoying each other and the sites of Bismarck-Mandan.
Sister Moira will be remembered for her great smile which touched so many hearts. She loved Christmas, the music, the decorations and all the season’s joys. This Christmas will be the best ever for her. She’ll be celebrating with God.
Sister Moira is survived by two sisters, Sister Roma Paulus, Patricia Gehrking, Eau Claire, Wis.; a brother Cornelius (Buck) and his wife, Mary Helen, Cape Coral, Fla.; a brother-in-law, Norman Emerson, Eau Claire, Wis.; nieces, nephews and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery.
Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.
To share memories of Sister Moira, please visit www.parkwayfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.
