Sister Grace (baptized Mary) Dahmus, 86, a member of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life Wednesday, February 25, at St. Alexius Medical Center. Visitation at the monastery will be Monday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery. The Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, March 3, at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery with visitation until the time of the service.
Born May 29, 1939, in Knobel, Arkansas, the fourth of the eight children of Rudolph and Catherine (Engel) Dahmus, the family moved to a Regent, ND farm when Sister Grace was a year old.
Following graduation from St. Mary’s High School, New England, ND, Sister Grace aspired to be a member of the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation in Bismarck, ND, and made monastic profession in 1959. She celebrated her 60th anniversary of monastic profession in 2019.
With a Mary College elementary education degree, Sister Grace taught the gamut of grades from one to six in parochial schools in Dickinson, Mandan, and Bismarck for more than 22 years. Of her teaching years, Sister Grace stated that “being with children has helped me see God’s designs for my life more clearly and has helped me grow.” Tall in stature, Sister Grace often recalled children’s delightful perspectives as she told the story of one child, observing all the teachers on the first day of school, whispering to her, “I think you’re the longest Sister of all of the teachers.”
After teaching, Sister Grace pursued Clinical Pastoral Education and served in Pastoral Care at St. Alexius , as a CNA, and classroom and library volunteer.
As varied health challenges came, including macular degeneration, Sister Grace gratefully availed herself of such resources as “talking books” and delighted in sharing topics of interest she had learned. When able, she readily participated in outings offered. In the capacity allowed by impaired eyesight, Sister Grace enjoyed making cards and scrapbooks for students of all ages and had numerous pen pals over the years.
Sister Grace is survived by her sisters Agnes Haas and Rita Christina, and brother, Henry, nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Margaret, and brothers Paul, Joseph, and Alfred. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery. To share memories of Sister Grace, visit www.eastgatefuneral.com and sign the online guest book.
