Sister Wilma Davis, 95, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, died at 6:50 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2017, at the monastery’s Hildegard Health Center.
Sister Wilma was born February 20, 1921, in Columbus, Indiana, the fourth of seven children of Gary and Clara (Schneider) Davis. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1938 and made her profession of monastic vows in 1940. She celebrated the 75th anniversary of her monastic profession in 2015.
She is survived by her brother, Father Prior Thomas Davis, OSCO, nieces, nephews, and members of her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Regina Davis, Josephine Blades, Anne Russell, and Sister Mary Jean Davis, OSB; and her brother, Gary Davis.
Sister Wilma taught at Assumption School in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sacred Heart School in Vincennes, Indiana, and at Ferdinand Elementary School in Ferdinand, Indiana. In 1957, she was sent to North Dakota, where she taught at St. Ann Indian Mission School in Belcourt, served as director of religious education at Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, also in Belcourt, and as diocesan director of religious education in Fargo. She also served as subprioress and as prioress of Queen of Peace Monastery in Belcourt. After returning to Ferdinand in 2004, she worked in supportive services at the monastery. She most recently served in the ministry of prayer.
Visitation will be at the monastery on Thursday, January 19, from 3:00 to 6:45 p.m. EST and on Friday, January 20, from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m. A wake service will be held on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the monastery church, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.
Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.
