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2001
Sister
Gonzaga (Rosette) Letter
 Sister Gonzaga (Rosette) Letter, age 99, died of illness relating to age at the
Monastery of St. Gertrude on April 23, 2001. She was born at Oberageri, Switzerland, on January 19, 1902, to Bonaventure and Marie Anna Besmer Letter.
At the age of 19 she set sail for America with Mother Hildegard Vogel and 22 other young women. She professed her vows as a Benedictine Sister on March 18, 1923. Her main ministry was teaching, first in elementary schools in Washington and Idaho. In 1926 her career as a high school teacher began at Greencreek public school; she later taught at St. Gertrude's Academy, Cottonwood, for seventeen years.
Besides teaching typing and shorthand, she kept convent records, created works of art, especially with dried flowers, and calligraphy. She was also the Academy librarian for several years.
Sister Letter was preceded in death by five brothers and six sisters.
A Vigil Service was held for her in the Monastery Chapel at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2001. Mass of Christian Burial
was celebrated at 9:00 am April 26, 2001. Services were conducted by Fr. Meinrad Schallberger, OSB.
Memorials may be made to the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, ID 83522-5183.
Sister
Helen Marie Brebner
 Cottonwood, ID -- Sister Helen Marie Brebner (formerly Sr. Mary Eulalia) died at
the Monastery of St. Gertrude of heart failure on March 12. Sister Helen was born at St. Maries, ID, on April 26, 1930, to James and Flora Ann (McMillan) Brebner.
Known for her gentle and quiet spirit, Sr. Helen experienced life with enthusiasm and joy. Her community and family describe her as playful, mischievous, and caring. Always searching for truth, Helen enjoyed sharing new insights from books, nature, people, and God. She delighted in discovering the healing qualities of essential oils and the sustaining energy from earth and trees. Her gracious listening led people to open their hearts to receive her challenges and wisdom.
Prior to entering the Monastery of St. Gertrude in 1944, she attended Mt. St. Maries Academy and St. Gertrude's Academy. After making her monastic profession in 1948, Helen worked at Our Lady of Consolation Hospital, Cottonwood. As a much loved first grade teacher, she taught in Rupert, Lewiston, Greencreek, Nampa, and Cottonwood. Always deeply prayerful, Helen lived her community life as a balancer, stabilizer, and friend. Many guests of the monastery experienced her warm hospitality. One of the highlights of recent years was the celebration of her Golden Jubilee on July 11, 1998. On that occasion, surrounded by family and community, Helen reaffirmed her loving commitment to God and her Benedictine way of life.
One of seven children, Helen is survived by a brother, William Brebner, a sister, Lucille Nelson, both of St. Maries, ID, and a sister, Frances Ann Stilimaker of Hillsboro, OR. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Carolyn, and two brothers, James and John.
A vigil service was held at the Monastery of St. Gertrude on March 19. The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated March 20, 2001. Memorial contributions may be made to the Monastery of St. Gertrude.
Sister
Angela Mis, OCD
Sister Angela Mis, OCD, 84, died of causes related to age at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID on January 2, 2001. She was born Julia Kathryn Mis in Fall River, MA, to Josef and Elizabeth Wewiorski Mis.
She made profession in 1952 as a Carmelite Sister at the Monastery of Mary Mother of Grace, Lafayette, LA. There she served the community as receptionist, sacristan and in domestic work. In 1975 she came to the Monastery of St. Gertrude at the invitation of her niece, Sr. Mary Forman, and Prioress Regina O'Connell. Sr. Angela remained true to her calling as a Carmelite sister during her years at St. Gertrude's.
At Cottonwood Sr. Angela ministered as receptionist and domestic worker. She joined the Benedictine Sisters in their public prayers, and continued the Carmelite way of prayer, penance, silence and solitude in her personal spirituality. She had a profound devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux and strove to imitate St. Therese's simplicity, love for the whole world, and unfailing commitment to being what God willed her to be.
She carried on an extensive correspondence with family and friends until about five years ago when her health of body and mind diminished significantly. She will be remembered by many as a gentle, encouraging, faithful and grateful person.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, and her sister Mary. She is survived by her sisters Eugenia Forman of Boise, ID, and Antoinette Miskiewicz of Jersey City, NJ, and seven nieces and their families.
Vigil Service was held at the Monastery of St. Gertrude chapel on Thursday, January 4, 2001. The funeral was held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 5, 2001, at the monastery chapel. Rev. Meinrad Schallberger, OSB, presided, and Sr. Mary Forman, OSB, gave the reflections. Sr. Angela was buried in the monastery cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, ID, 83522-5183.
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Benedictine
Sisters, Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho
