Sister Anita Splonskowski, 89, of Mother of God Monastery died Friday, February 29, 2008 at Maryhouse Nursing Home in Pierre, SD. A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, at St. Mary’s Chapel in Pierre, SD. A Liturgical Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008, at the Monastery in Watertown.
 

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2008 in the monastery chapel with Father Jerome Holtzman as celebrant. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Sister Anita (Mary Bernadette Josephine) Splonskowski was born on August 28, 1918, in Bismarck, North Dakota. She was the fifth of eleven children born to Francis and Elizabeth (Kappenman) Splonskowski, but the first girl of the family. She spent her early years enjoying farm life and being with her brothers. When Sister was seven, she started school. She completed grade school in seven years, remained at home one year, attended St. Mary’s High School in Richardton, ND for one year and then transferred to Sacred Heart Convent in Yankton as a candidate in June, 1934. She finished high school in the two years she was a candidate.

After her novitiate, Sister made first temporary vows June, 1937 and her final vows in June, 1940. She continued her college education at Mt. Marty College and, after two years, earned certification to teach elementary school. Sister Anita earned the rest of her college credits in summers and she received her Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1959. She continued to take college credits during the summers at Northern in Aberdeen and graduated in the summer of 1965 with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Administration. She became a founding member of Mother of God Monastery in 1961.

For Sister Anita, daily and yearly challenges were teaching youngsters in elementary and secondary schools in the Dakotas and Nebraska. She called these experiences, “the greatest opportunities of all.” On many of the missions where she taught, she also served as organist for church services. Sister’s musical background began at home with her mother as teacher. She continued the study of music as opportunities were offered.
 

In 1979, Sister moved home to Mother of God Monastery in Watertown. The next year, she served as principal for Holy Rosary Grade School in Kranzburg and continued this position for seven years. She maintained a lovely flower garden in the courtyard at Harmony Hill and helped with the care of the elderly sisters. Sister remained home throughout the 1990’s, spending time praying, knitting and playing the piano. In 2006, Sister Anita moved to Maryhouse Nursing Home in Pierre, SD where she died.