Sister Bernarda Divora, O.S.B., 1915-2004

Sister Bernarda Divora O.S.B., 89, of St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, died Sunday, June 27, 2004, at the Monastery.

Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island.  Visitation is 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Monastery, where a Christian wake service will be held at 7 p.m.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan, is assisting with arrangements.  Memorials may be made to the Monastery.

Sister Bernarda was born April 9, 1915, in Wenona, Ill., the daughter of John and Minnie Jaegle Divora.  She entered the Benedictine community on Jan. 4, 1938, and made her final profession as a Benedictine Sister on July 27, 1942.

Sister Bernarda attended the St. Joseph School of Nursing in Bloomington and received her registered nurse certificate.  She graduated from Marycrest College, Davenport, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.  Her ministry included serving at Proctor Hospital, Peoria, St James Hospital, Pontiac, St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, and St. Mary Academy, Nauvoo.  Sister Bernarda also taught music for many years in Peoria.

Survivors include her Benedictine Sisters; a sister, Dorothy Wurmnest, Streator, Ill., and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in Death by her parents; a sister, Teresa; and a brother, Paul.