Sister Marmion Karels

Sister Marmion Karels, age 91 died on July 20, 2025, at Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home, Crookston, MN.

Sister Marmion Karels was born on November 18, 1933, in Rosen, MN, the fourth of five children of Marcus John Karels and Katherine M. (Kelzer) Karels. She was given the name Kathleen Rose at baptism. She attended St. Joseph’s grade school in Rosen and Mount Saint Benedict Academy in Crookston for high school.

She entered Mount Saint Benedict Monastery in January 1951 and received the habit and the name Sister Marmion in July 195l. She made first vows in July 1952 and final profession July 11, 1955.

Sister Marmion earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the College of St. Theresa, Winona, MN, and a Master of Science in educational administration from the University of Notre Dame. She attended many supplemental courses, seminars and workshops throughout her professional life.

For forty-five years, Sister Marmion was an elementary classroom teacher in parish schools including St. Joseph’s, Moorhead, Assumption, Barnesville, St. Vincent’s, Osseo, St. Bernard’s Thief River Falls, Cathedral, Crookston and Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes. Fourteen of those years she also served as principal of the school to which she was assigned.

She served Mount Saint Benedict Monastery in pastoral care in Good Shepherd Hall, briefly as subprioress and, from 2005-2013, as director of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery’s oblate program.

Sister Marmion enjoyed listening to music, reading, painting and calligraphy. In her younger days, she loved biking, jogging and ice skating.

Sister Marmion is preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Katherine Karels, brothers Eugene and Charles, a sister, Sister Adeline Karels.

She is survived by her brother Richard, many nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Benedict of Crookston.

Funeral services for Sister Marmion will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Sacred Heart Chapel, Mount Saint Benedict, 620 Summit Avenue, Crookston, MN.

11:00 a.m. Prayer service.

2:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial with Msgr. David Baumgartner as celebrant.

Internment immediately following in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements by Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home.