Sister Mary Ernst

SISTER MARY ALICE ERNST

Cedar Rapids

Sister Mary Alice Ernst, RSM, 91, died in Omaha, Neb., on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014. Recently her health began to decline. She died peacefully at Mercy Villa in Omaha, where she had resided since 2009.

Evelyn Alice Ernst was born March 29, 1923, to Johannah (Regan) and Edward Ernst on a dairy farm in Onamia, Minn., where she learned, as a very young girl, a strong work ethic. She was the sixth of nine children. She attended Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Onamia High School in 1941.

Following in the footsteps of her older sister, Florence, whose religious name was Sister Mary Linus, RSM, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Cedar Rapids on Jan. 2, 1942. Sister Mary Alice was professed on Aug. 15, 1944, with her motto being "All for Jesus."

In 1960, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Viterbo College in LaCrosse, Wis. She spent 33 years in education, spiritually nurturing young children in Iowa, in such locations as Bernard, Anamosa, Fairfax, Ames, Elma, Evansdale, Oelwein and Waterloo, all located in the Archdiocese of Dubuque; and in Minnesota at Edina, in the Archdiocese of St. Paul, Minn.

Sister Mary Alice transitioned her ministry in the late 1970s to serve as a hospital pastoral minister in Iowa and then in Kalispell, Mont. In 1982, she traveled to the east coast to Maryland, where she served as a dorm mother and pastoral minister. There she worked with children with special needs and their parents. She returned to the Midwest in 1984 to minister in Cedar Rapids and Minnesota as a live-in personal caregiver. This ministry, along with tutoring young children, continued into her retirement years.

Upon retiring, Sister Mary Alice became fully engaged in prayer ministry. She especially enjoyed this time developing her artistic talents. She also enjoyed sharing stories with students at Mercy High and Mercy Associates while living with the Sisters of Mercy at Mercy Villa in Omaha.

Sister Mary Alice is survived by her brother, Edward Ernst of Fridley, Minn.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Sister Mary Linus and Eileen; and her brothers, Francis, Donald 1, Donald 2, James and William.

In Cedar Rapids, on Sunday, Aug. 17, a private Welcoming of the Body will be held for Sisters and Mercy Associates at 3 p.m., followed by visitation from 4 to 7 p.m., and a vigil service beginning at 7 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Teahen Funeral Home is serving the family.

Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, 1125 Prairie Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.teahenfuneral home.com.