Sister Mary Joel (Bernice) Bieniek, 104, died on November 29, 2021, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minnesota.
Bernice Bieniek was born on August 10, 1917, near Holdingford, Minn., the eleventh of 14 children born to the late Joseph and Agnes (Novak) Bieniek. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister on August 12, 1937, and received the name Sister Mary Joel. She made first profession of vows on August 12, 1939, and final vows on August 12, 1942. She was a Franciscan Sister for 84 years.
Sister Mary Joel attended St. Francis School of Nursing, Breckenridge, Minn., and Mount Mary College and Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. After interning at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minn., she received a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition with minors in social science and chemistry. She ministered as a registered dietitian in several of the Franciscan health care facilities and was an instructor in the schools of nursing in Little Falls and Breckenridge. Later, for many years, she served as a traveling dietary consultant and preceptor for health care facilities in Little Falls, Breckenridge, Sauk Centre, Brainerd, Long Prairie, Onamia, Princeton, Pierz, Browerville, Park Rapids, Walker, Pine River, Clarissa and Bertha. In order to do this ministry, she had to learn to drive. Obtaining her driver's license was an exciting happening. In addition to driving for her ministry, she also took sisters to places of interest in the U.S.; these ranged from St. Louis to Spokane to Washington, D.C.
Sister Mary Joel was firmly rooted in her basic religious beliefs and ideals, beginning from her home and continuing through her many years in religious life. She was a dedicated sister and professional throughout her life. With a mind for organizing, she carried her responsibilities to completion with grace and interest.
She generously used her specials skills of cooking, baking, making jellies and jams and canning, as well as advising and sharing the many lessons she had learned from life. She will be remembered as a very creative person with a special eye for flower and display arrangements. In her last years, she especially used this gift, making lovely flower arrangements for the convent chapel, while serving as sacristan. Sister Mary Joel was a hard worker and had a very giving spirit, quietly doing her work, then seemed surprised that anyone noticed the beauty she created.
Sister Mary Joel was preceded in death by siblings: John, Walter, Mary Mathe, Peter, Sister Vianney, OSB, Sister Grace, OSF, Joseph, Sister Giovanni, OSB, Sylvester, Pauline Mans, Theophile, Alois and Stephen. Survivors include nieces, nephews and her Franciscan Community.
A private wake was held for Sister Mary Joel on December 5, 2021. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 6, 2021, at St. Francis Convent.
