Sister Bernice Jirik (Sister Thaedeen), 75
Sister Bernice Jirik (Sister Thaedeen), 75, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes in R o c h e s t e r, died at Assisi Heights on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011.
She was born in Webster Township, Rice County, a daughter of Frank Albert and Ludmilla Ann (Skluzacek) Jirik. Bernice attended elementary school and her first year of high school in Lonsdale, and the remaining three years at Good Counsel Academy in Mankato. Following high school, she enrolled in the LPN program at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. She completed the program in 1955, and was then employed as an LPN at Saint Mary’s until she entered the Sisters of Saint Francis in 1956. She received the habit in 1957 and was given the name Sister Thaedeen. In 2009, Sister celebrated 50 years of religious profession. Sister Bernice’s years of ministry included nursing at Mercy Hospital, Portsmouth, OH, and at Assisi Heights. She also served as sacristan at Assisi Heights and at Sacred Heart Hospice in Austin, until her retirement in 1980. For the last 30 years, her ministry has been that of prayer.
She is survived by her Franciscan Congregation, with whom she shared life for 55 years; also survived by a brother Ted (Monnie) Jirik, New Prague, and two sisters Mary Raney, Northfield, and Ludy Valek, Lonsdale.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings Tom, Frank and Alice Novak.
A funeral liturgy was held Monday, Sept. 19, at 11 a.m., in the Chapel of our Lady of Lourdes at Assisi Heights in Rochester.
Burial was at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.
A vigil service was held at Assisi Heights on Sunday at 4 p.m., and before the service on Monday.