Sister Gerard McDonnell, OSB, 1908-2000

Sister Gerard McDonnell, OSB, a former principal at three elementary schools in the diocese and a long-time teacher at the former Bergan High School, Peoria, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at St. Mary Monastery, Nauvoo, IL.  

Sister Gerard, a native of Edelstein, was 92.

A funeral Mass was offered at the Benedictine monastery on Wednesday, June 14.  Msgr. Dale Wellman, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Milan, and a former student of Sister Gerard’s during her 19 years at St. Mary’s School, Moline, was principal celebrant.  The homilist was Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, vicar general of the diocese and former Bergan chaplain.  

Burial followed in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Nauvoo.

Born Dec. 28 in Edelstein to Thomas and Nellie (Dwyer) McDonnell, she entered the Nauvoo Benedictine community on June 25, 1926, and made her final profession of vows in 1931. 

Sister Gerard earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose University and a master’s degree at St. Xavier’s College.  She served at St. John’s in Bradford from 1929 to 1935, and at St. Mary’s School, Moline, from 1935 to 1954, including part of that time as principal.

After two years at St. Mary’s Academy, Nauvoo, she served as principal of Sts. Peter and Paul School, Nauvoo, from 1956 to 1961.  She was later principal and teacher at St. Joseph’s School, Ivesdale, for two years.

From 1963 until her retirement in 1986, Sister Gerard taught religion and English at Bergan High School in Peoria, where she also served in other capacities such as receptionist and in records.

She is survived by a niece, Marena Krieger of Fort Madison, Iowa, and a nephew, Michael McDonnell of Texas.