Sister Marie Celeste Sabers

Sister Marie Celeste Sabers, 86, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died October 20, 2017 at the Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD.

The Mass of Resurrection for Sister Marie Celeste Sabers will be held at 3:00 pm Monday, October 23, 2017 in Blessed Sacrament Chapel at Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD. Reverend Joseph Sheehan will be celebrant and homilist. A Scriptural Prayer Service will be Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Internment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S Main Street, is in charge of arrangements. 

Mary Joan Sabers was born October 1, 1931 in Salem, SD to Elrena (Godfrey) and Emil Sabers.  Mary Joan graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Salem in 1949.  She entered Presentation Convent November 1, 1950 and made her first profession of vows on August 10, 1953, receiving her religious name of Sister Marie Celeste.        

Sister Marie Celeste graduated from Regis College, Denver, CO in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and earned her Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago IL, in 1984.  She worked in the business offices of St. Joseph Hospital, Mitchell and Holy Rosary Hospital, Miles City, MT from 1953 to 1975. From 1975 to 2006 she worked as a Director of Pastoral Care at Mother Joseph Manor (Avera MJM), Aberdeen, (Avera) St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen and at St. Joseph Hospital (Avera Queen of Peace) Hospital, Mitchell. In 2007 she volunteered visiting the sick at Avera McKennan, Sioux Falls, and moved to Presentation Convent, Aberdeen in 2016.     

She was steadfast in her duties as a Chaplain offering comfort and encouragement to patients and their families.  She enjoyed visiting with family, friends and past co-workers and liked bowling, music, walking, water exercise, hiking and nature.

Sister Marie Celeste is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters; 3 sisters: Carole (William) Seymour, Karen (Frank) Dalrymple, Marjorie (Charles) Heine; and 4 brothers: Richard (Ellie), Donald (Shirley) and Keith and Darrell (Donna) Sabers.  She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jean Hershman.

Memorials for Presentation Sisters’ Ministries are preferred.