Sister Caroline Liebl

Sister Caroline Liebl, 97, died Sunday, January 19 at Villa Saint Vincent, Crookston. Rosella Liebl was born May 6, 1916, in Mahnomen County, MN, the fifth of seven children of George and Anna (Bastian) Liebl. Rosella's early years were spent enjoying life on the farm with her close-knit family. When she was in second grade the family moved into Mahnomen where she continued her education through ninth grade. After Rosella finished ninth grade she continued her education at Mount Saint Benedict Academy in Crookston, MN. This led to her decision to join the Crookston Benedictines, She received the name Sister Caroline as a novice. In 1935 she made temporary vows and three years later she made final profession of vows. She affirmed, "In my heart, I knew this was where I belonged." Rosella became active in church music at an early age. She recalled accompanying hymns on the organ, albeit with one finger, when she was in fourth grade. She progressed from there to becoming the regular organist and directing choirs. As a person with many talents and a willingness to become involved in any way possible, Sister Caroline had a variety of life experiences. She excelled as a teacher but also enjoyed her opportunities to minister to the sick, work in music ministry, help in the garden and cannery at Mount Saint Benedict, assist with laundry and respond to numerous other needs. Sister Caroline's teaching assignments included parochial schools in Red Lake Falls, Moorhead, Park Rapids, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, and Bemidji in Minnesota, and Asherton, TX. In some schools she served as both principal and teacher. Often she was in charge of liturgical music for the students. Sister Caroline also taught in summer religious education programs and in the summer schools for migrant children in Moorhead and Crookston. In her later years Sister Caroline often recalled how happy she always was doing whatever came her way. She especially appreciated her years in Texas where she had the opportunity to do pastoral work, conduct church services, baptize babies, comfort the sick and dying, and assist at funerals. When she returned to Minnesota, she continued her ministry to the sick in addition to her teaching duties. After her retirement from teaching Sister Caroline took delight in doing volunteer work at Sunrise Center for Children and Families and in helping at the monastery. As a much-loved teacher, Sister Caroline acquired many close friends from among her students and their parents, many of whom kept in contact with her over the years. In 1988 she received recognition from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation for Excellence in Education and in 1997 she was honored in the 4th edition of Who's Who Among American Teachers. Sister Caroline was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Henry and Arthur and sisters Loretta Frederick, Evelyn Powers, Clara Kolb Teresa Smith. She is survived by the members of her monastic community and many nieces and nephews. Reception of Sister Caroline's body will be at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21 with visitation from 5:30 until the 7:00 p.m. prayer service. Sister Caroline's funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Roger Grundhaus, Monsignor Jerry Noesen and Father Rick Lambert concelebrating. All services will be in Sacred Heart Chapel, Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, 620 Summit Ave. Crookston, MN.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Service
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
cemetery
Wednesday, January 22, 2014