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June 29, 2010Seven Presentation Sisters Celebrate 60th JubileeAberdeen, S.D. – Sisters Lucy Callaghan, Colman Coakley, Peter Dangel, Eileen Ford, Martina Kueter, Helen Ripplinger and Josita Schwab have been vowed members of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aberdeen, S.D., for 60 years. They will celebrate this milestone with their congregation, relatives and friends on July 8, 2010, in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent. Sister Lucy (Mary Dismas) Callaghan was born to Adelaide (Daly) and C.L. (Leo) Callaghan in Westport, S.D. She entered Presentation Convent in 1949. “My mother and father were very good examples for me in my religion when I was growing up," she says. "Then I had Presentation Sister teachers in junior and senior high school and in nurse’s training.” Callaghan attended Presentation School of Nursing, Aberdeen, and was a student in the first class at Presentation College. She received a bachelor's in nursing from Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., and a master's in nursing from Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich. She later attended Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo., where she became a licensed pediatric nurse practitioner. Callaghan taught pediatric nursing at Presentation School of Nursing, Sioux Falls, for 14 years, and at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, for three years. She then served as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Vicksburg Children and Youth Clinic, Vicksburg, Miss., prior to returning to teaching at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and, then, the University of Kansas College of Nursing, Kansas City, Kan. In 1989 she moved to New Orleans to teach at Loyola University, where she served until her retirement in 1999. Sister Colman (Brigid Nodlaig) Coakley was born to Hannah (Cotter) and Cornelius Coakley in Cork City, Ireland. She entered Presentation Convent on May 17, 1949. After attending Hynes Business School, Cork City, Ireland, Coakley immigrated to the United States and attended Presentation College, Aberdeen. She later earned a bachelor's in business administration from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. Coakley dedicated herself to health care ministry. She served in various positions at (Avera) McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, including business manager, comptroller and in pastoral care. In 1968 she was asked to coordinate all of the health care ministries of the Presentation Sisters and became the first president of the Presentation Health System in 1978. She served in this capacity until 1996. She served as chair of the board of trustees for (Avera) McKennan, Sioux Falls, and also served on the boards of (Avera) St. Luke's, Aberdeen; St. Joseph (Avera Queen of Peace), Mitchell, S.D.; and Holy Rosary, Miles City, Mont. In addition, Coakley served on the board of Presentation College and on the Leadership Council for the Presentation Sisters. Coakley received the YMCA Leadership Award in 1985 and was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1997. "Health care ministry provided me with many challenges and opportunities to serve God by ministering to the needs of the people," she explains. "There are so many and varied ministries that sisters can devote their lives to now. I believe that God will continue to call courageous and faith-filled women to religious life." Sister Peter (Bertha) Dangel was born in Freeman, S.D., to Katherine (Bauer) and John Dangel. She entered Presentation Convent on January 6, 1949. Dangel attended Presentation College, Aberdeen, and went on to attain a bachelor's in education from Northern State (University), Aberdeen. She served in education ministry for 42 years in Corsica, Freeman, Centerville, Parker, Yankton, Jefferson, Milbank, Madison, Mitchell, Bridgewater, Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, S.D., and Anoka, Minn. Dangel currently serves in prayer ministry at Presentation Convent. "This whole life is a gift," she says. "I know I am doing God's will. I have been blessed in my ministry and my vowed religious life." Sister Eileen (Virginé) Ford was born to Julia (O'Grady) and William Ford and grew up in Dorchester, Mass. She attended public school in the Boston, Mass., area, and entered Presentation Convent on September 14, 1949. Ford received an associate's from Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D., and served in domestic service prior to completing continuing education in preparation for the ministry of pastoral care. She served in pastoral care and outreach ministry at (Avera) St. Luke's Hospital and Mother Joseph Manor, both in Aberdeen, for nearly 20 years before retiring. Currently Ford is active in the Foster Grandparents program and serves at C.C. Lee Elementary in Aberdeen. "All of life calls for sacrifices in one way or another," she says. "But the rewards of giving oneself to the service of God and neighbor are like none other in regard to growing in what God made us for." Sister Martina (Mary Doreen) Kueter was born in Humboldt, S.D., to Lenora and William Kueter. She entered Presentation Convent on September 8, 1949. After attending Presentation School of Nursing, Aberdeen, Kueter began her ministry in health care as a licensed practical nurse at Presentation Children's Home, Sioux Falls, S.D., where she served for nine years. She ministered at Presentation Convent as a local director before moving to Sioux Falls to serve in pastoral care at (Avera) McKennan Hospital. In 1973 she moved to Aberdeen and supervised the Pink Pantry at (Avera) St. Luke's Hospital, later serving here in pastoral care ministry. She also served in pastoral care in Dell Rapids, S.D., and Ellendale, N.D., before beginning work in home health care. In 1994 Kueter began working in the home of Bishop Robert Carlson as cook. Currently she serves in prayer ministry. "All of us have a call in life and I have answered mine," Kueter says. "I am where I belong." Sister Helen (Mary Jacinta) Ripplinger was born in Trail City, S.D. to Magdalena (Meier) and Joseph Ripplinger. She entered Presentation Convent on September 8, 1949. Though legally blind, Ripplinger has led a full life of prayer and ministry. She served as receptionist for the Presentation School of Nursing, Aberdeen, for over 17 years. In 1969 she attended the Lighthouse School for the Blind in Chicago, Ill., where she received training in medical records transcription. She returned to Aberdeen and worked at (Avera) St. Luke's Hospital in the medical records department until 1983, when she retired. In 1983 Sister began volunteer work at (Avera) St. Luke's and (Avera) Mother Joseph Manor. Until recently she was an active choir member and cantor at Sacred Heart Parish and played the piano for residents at the manor. In 2008 she transcribed Spanish song lyrics into Braille to be able to celebrate Mass with the Latino community. With her trademark smile, Ripplinger says, "I figure if I can't do some things, there are some things I can do. I've always felt that first of all you need a sense of humor." Sister Josita (Elizabeth Mary) Schwab was born on a farm north of Andover, S.D., to Magdalena (Dauwen) and Joseph Schwab. She entered Presentation Convent on September 8, 1949. After attending Presentation College, Aberdeen, S.D., Schwab received additional training in clinical pastoral education, dietary administration and theology. She served in dietary domestic service in area convents, schools and hospitals for many years. In 1978 she began ministry as a parish visitor and served for 18 years in parishes in Huron, Jefferson and Elk Point, S.D. She joined St. Joseph's Catholic Housing, Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1996 and ministered as a friend and advocate to families and residents at Northridge Apartments and West Creek Woods until she retired in 2007. Currently Schwab volunteers at Avera St. Luke's Hospital and Presentation Convent. "A call from God is awesome," says Schwab. "I am so proud to be a Presentation Sister and to have a small part in our history: to laugh with those who are laughing, to give comfort to those who are suffering, to offer hope to those who have no hope."
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