Sister M. Imelda (Catherine) Wald, OSF

Sister M. Imelda (Catherine) Wald, OSF

Sister M. Imelda (Catherine) Wald, OSF, 89, died Saturday November 14, 2009, at St. Gerard's Community Nursing Home, Hankinson, ND.

Sister Imelda was born January 11, 1920, in Napoleon, North Dakota, to Markus and Marianne Bernhard, the 7th in a family of nine girls and three boys. Living on a farm in Logan County she shared in the work. Sister Imelda and her siblings attended the Manheim District School.

Sister Imelda became acquainted with the Franciscan Sisters of Hankinson when they taught vacation school at the neighboring parish of St. Boniface and visited her family farm. She joined the Sisters as a postulant at St. Francis Convent, Hankinson, during her senior year of high school. She was received into the novitiate on July 18, 1939, made first profession in 1940, and her perpetual profession of vows in 1943.

Sister Imelda served her Community in domestic work during the years of 1940 through July 1952 in the following locations: Atchison, KS, Dearborn, MI, Hankinson and Oakes, ND. In 1952 Sister trained as a nurse aide at Drayton, ND. From 1952 to 1975 Sister Imelda served in several capacities as a nurse aide in Grand Forks and Drayton, ND; Gettysburg, SD; X-ray technician and medical records in Oakes, Drayton, and Hankinson, ND. During the years from 1975 –1994, Sister was in Grand Forks, ND. Fourteen of those years she was the Librarian at Holy Family School. She also was a Catechist, Eucharistic Minister and worked in pastoral ministry. For twelve summers she was involved in ministry to the Hispanic people who worked for the sugar beet farmers in the Grafton area. She was the local superior at Holy Family Convent from 1981 - 1986. In February of 1994, Sister Imelda returned to Hankinson. In 1995, due to poor health, she became a resident at St. Catherine’s Living Center, Wahpeton, ND, until September, 1999, when she was able to return St. Francis Convent. In 2007 she moved to St. Gerard's Nursing Home.

Sister Imelda is survived by her Community of Franciscan Sisters, Hankinson, N.D., Sisters: Mrs. Zita Kuss, Bismarck, ND and Sister Gerard Wald, OSF. Little Falls, MN., Sisters-in-laws: Mrs. Pauline Wald, Mrs. Barbara Wald, and Mrs. Helena Wald, Linton, ND, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Markus and Marianne (Bernhard) Wald, six sisters: Sister M. Agatha Wald, Rosalia Weigel, Mary Wangler, Sister Jovita Wald, Elizabeth (Joe) Braun, Christine (Romaltus) Wangler, three brothers: Markus (Pauline) Wald, James (Barbara) Wald, and Stanley (Helena) Wald.

Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 19, 2009, St. Francis Convent Chapel, Hankinson.

The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, at 11 a.m. on November 20, 2009, St. Francis Convent Chapel. The burial will be in St. Francis Convent Cemetery.

On-line guestbook: www.frankfamilyfuneralhome. com

Frank Family Funeral Home, Hankinson, ND is in charge of the arrangements.

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