Sister Virginia Houske

Sister Virginia Houske, 79, of the Mount St. Benedict, Crookston, MN, died at RiverView Hospital in Crookston, MN, on January 3, 2012. Viona Joan Houske was born on March 22, 1932, the first of three children, and the only girl, of Viola and Oscar Houske. Joanie, as she was called by the family, took delight in dressing up in her prettiest clothes to attend a nearby Lutheran Church with her family. Though she joined the Catholic Church at the age of eighteen, she valued and cherished her background in the Lutheran Church.While she was a student at Moorhead State College, Viona told Father Elmer, OSB, that she was thinking about becoming a Dominican sister. He asked, "What's wrong with the Benedictines?" Father Elmer then introduced her to the sisters teaching at Saint Joseph's School who invited her to spend a weekend at Mount Saint Benedict. Viona entered the Mount community on August 15, 1953, and received the habit and the name of Sister Virginia on July 3, 1954. Sister Virginia made her final monastic profession on July 11, 1958. She received a bachelor's degree in music from the University of North Dakota where she was also inducted into the music honor society of Pi Lambda Theta. Later she was also named to Who's Who of American Women. Sister Virginia taught in elementary schools in Thief River Falls, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Red Lake Falls, Barnesville and Crookston. Music was the undying love of Sister Virginia's life, and she dedicated herself to teaching piano and organ students. Sister Virginia had a special place in her heart for Hispanic families and for those who were less advantaged financially. In addition to teaching music and offering her services as a church organist, she prepared many young people to receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. For many years she also taught religious education to migrant children. Sister Virginia also took delight in playing and singing Gregorian Chant, Latin Motets and the Latin Divine Office. Sister Virginia said, "My personal mission is to praise God by playing the organ and participating in liturgy and by teaching music to enable others to develop their talents to sing, to play, and to pray. As a Benedictine, I strive also to live according the Rule of Saint Benedict, whose motto is "ora et labora." (pray and work) that in all things God may be glorified." Her parents, Viola and Oscar, preceded her in death. She is survived by her two brothers, John and Raleigh, and the members of her monastic community. The Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Virginia Virginia Houske will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2012 in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, 620 Summit Ave., Crookston, MN. Reception of the body of Sister Virginia will be at 5:00 p.m. Thursday with visitation until the wake service at 7:00 pm. Memorials are preferred to Mount Saint Benedict Foundation. (Online registry at www.stenshoelhouske.com)

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Service
Friday, January 6, 2012