Sister Clarita Selz, Order of St. Benedict (Benedictines), 76, a Benedictine sister of Saint Bede Monastery, died at the Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Friday, May 30, 2008, following a lingering illness.
Born in Humbird, WI to parents Herman and Justina (Bergman) Selz, on April 6, 1932, Sister Clarita was the eighth child in a family of six brothers and five sisters. She entered the Benedictine Monastery in Eau Claire in 1949 where she finished her high school at St. Patrick’s, graduating in 1950.
Sister Clarita professed her vows in 1952. In 2002 she celebrated her Golden Jubilee. Sister had a very active, versatile career. She pursued further education at St. Catherine’s College in St. Paul, MN, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in 1964. Sister Clarita loved teaching little children and taught primary grades in schools in La Crosse, Onalaska and Eau Claire.
In 1965, Sister took the first step in fulfilling her dream of becoming a missionary by attending a one year preparation program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. This preceded a total of 13 years in Antofagasta, Chile. While serving in Antofagasta, Sister taught English as a second language both at the elementary and college level. She also volunteered as a group facilitator in a program which prepared mothers to be catechists. In addition she was active in small local prayer groups and volunteered as chaplain at the Women’s Prison. These years were very precious to her as well to the people to whom she ministered.
Upon returning to the states, Sister Clarita entered another phase of ministry by completing a one year CPE training course at Willmar State Hospital in Willmar, MN. She was a devoted and faithful member of the Pastoral Care Team at Sacred Heart Hospital until her illness forced her into retirement at the Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in 2006.
Sister also served the community in various capacities as Sub-Prioress, Vocation Director and the Director of our Benedictine Lay Associate program from 1988 until her retirement.
Sister Clarita is survived by two sisters: Margaret of Hartford, WI and Germaine Vertnik of Tarpon Springs, FL; and three brothers, John (Marianne) of Humbird, Edward (Frances) of Loyal, WI, and Joseph (Janet) of Waterford, WI; and her Benedictine family of sisters as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Bede Monastery on Tuesday, June 3 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Bede Monastery with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Eau Claire. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is assisting Saint Bede Monastery with arrangements.
The family of Sister Clarita asked that memorials be directed to Saint Bede Monastery, 1190 Priory Rd., Eau Claire, WI, 54701.
Courtesy of Lenmark Funeral Home
