Sister Bernice Krejci
(Mary Christopher)
Born to earthly life: February 6, 1930
Religious profession: August 11, 1949
Entered eternal life: November 23, 2008
"When through one woman, a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world, then that woman's life has had meaning." Bernice's life had a lot of meaning.
A native of St. Peter's Parish in Tilden, WI, Sister Bernice had six brothers and sisters. The family lived on a farm. After graduating from St. John's School in Cooks Valley, she helped on the farm for several years. On August 28, 1946, Bernice entered the Candidature and was one of 32 young women who made up the class of 1949. She received the name of Sister Mary Christopher at her reception.
In her autobiography, Bernice calls herself another "Martha." As a homemaker and a traveling seamstress, she ministered to our sisters in many different convents. She was dearly loved by all those she helped, especially during the time of our change of habit.
In Chippewa Falls, Bernice served as resident manager of Transitus House for ten years. It was a halfway house for women who were chemically dependent. These were not easy times, both for the residents as well as for Sister Bernice herself. However, some of her longest and best friendships came from that time in her life. Even in her final days, she had contact with recovering women from all parts of the United States.
After her retirement, Bernice brought communion to shut-ins, visited and gave rides to the elderly, served as a Hospice volunteer, said the rosary with dying people, and shared her culinary skills with local churches during their festivities. Bernice loved fishing, playing cards, traveling, baking, and preparing and sharing a good meal.
In 2005, Bernice was very sick at the hospital in Marshfield and was not expected to live. However, by the grace of God and her strong and determined spirit, she lived for three more years. Although not feeling well, she continued to be active in reaching out and serving others.
Last Christmas she baked many small loaves of bread and helped me deliver them to over 100 residents in our complex. Before her death, she had already baked enough loaves to share with our neighbors again this year.
Twelve SSNDs attended Sister Bernice's funeral. As a group, we stood around her coffin and sang the blessing song. It was a moving experience. Bernice was looking forward to celebrating her Diamond Jubilee with her classmates in 2009.
I miss Bernice, but I do not wish her back. I feel that I have an advocate in heaven helping me along my path in Chippewa Falls.
– Sister Yvonne Hiess, SSND
Sister Bernice ministered primarily as a homemaker but she also served as a hospice volunteer for St. Joseph’s Hospital as well as a traveling seamstress for the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Sister Bernice's ministry locations were:
- St. Aloysius, Arcadia, Wisconsin
- St. Aloysius, West Allis, Wisconsin
- St. Mary, Menasha, Wisconsin
- St. Paul, Bloomer, Wisconsin
- McDonnell High School, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
- Transitus House, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
- Volunteer Ministry, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Click here to send a memorial online.