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June 29, 2010
Presentation Sisters Install New Leadership Team
 From left, Sisters Francene Evans, Pam Donelan, Kathleen Bierne and Janice Mengenhauser.
Aberdeen, S.D. – On June 20 the Presentation Sisters installed a new leadership team that will serve from June 2010 through May 2014. Sister Pam Donelan will once again serve as president and Sister Kathleen Bierne was re-elected as vice president of the congregation. New councilors include Sisters Francene Evans and Janice Mengenhauser. Sister Pam Donelan was born in Montrose, S.D., to Lucille (Kappenman) Donelan and the late Jerry Donelan. She graduated from Montrose High School and received an associate's in art from Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D. She went on to obtain a bachelor's in arts communication and theatre from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn., and a master's in creative drama and children's theatre from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. For the past 12 years Donelan has served on the Presentation Sisters' Leadership Council. Before that she was director of mission at Avera St. Luke's. Sister has a great deal of experience working with students of all levels and, after years of ministering as a high school drama and English teacher across the region, was dean of students at Presentation College. She also co-founded the Presentation College Ice Cream Theatre. Sister Kathleen Bierne was born in Watertown, S.D., to Lawrence and Jean (Waldron) Bierne. She graduated from Henry High School and received a bachelor's in home economics from South Dakota State University, Brookings. She went on to obtain a master's in family and child development from Kansas State University, Manhattan, and a judicial degree in canon law from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. In addition to serving on the leadership team for the past four years, Bierne served in the development office for the Presentation Sisters from 2004 to 2010. She also continues to complete contract work for several area diocesan tribunals. Sister previously ministered in diocesan tribunal offices in Rapid City, S.D., and New Ulm, Minn., and, prior to that, as vice president for the congregation. Sister has a great deal of experience in elementary and secondary education, religious education and parish ministry. Sister Francene Evans was born to Cyril and Ruth (Probstfield) Evans in Aberdeen, S.D. After attending school in Brentford for ten years, Sister graduated from Aberdeen Central High School. She went on to receive an associate's from Presentation College, Aberdeen, a bachelor's and master's in psychology from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisc.; and her doctorate from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Evans has been involved in education ministry for many years, first serving as a high school teacher and then going on to serve at several colleges and universities, including Minnesota West College from 1984 to 2004. She also served as vice president of the congregation from 1978 to 1982.
Born in Ravinia, S.D., to Theodore and Evelyn (Wagner) Mengenhauser, Sister Janice Mengenhauser graduated from Plankinton High School. She received an associate's degree at Presentation College and nursing education at St. Luke's School of Nursing, both in Aberdeen, S.D. After completing an intensive Spanish language program in Mexico, Mengenhauser went on to attain a bachelor's in nursing, with an emphasis in third world nursing, from St. Louis University, Mo. She earned a master's of pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.; completed a post-graduate program in marriage and family therapy in Omaha from the Menninger Clinic, Topeka, Kan.; and went on to become a certified professional counselor and licensed mental health practitioner.
After many years in healthcare ministry, including several as a missionary nurse in Mexico, Mengenhauser became formation director for the Presentation Sisters. She served in the Omaha, Neb., Archdiocese as a Hispanic marriage and family specialist for 20 years. Currently she is a bilingual therapist for Heartland Family Services, Omaha. Sister also assists with the LIVE Leadership Camp for Hispanic Girls and serves as a mentor for the Mujeres y Valores (Women and Values) group, serving on the board of directors for the Hispanic women's group.
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