Sister Mary Rosemunda Besch, BVM
Sister Rosemunda Besch, BVM, 92, died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Mount Carmel Bluffs, Dubuque, Iowa.
Visitation, the Sharing of Memories and Mass of Christian Burial were on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. Burial was in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
Sister Rosemunda was born on May 13, 1932, in Sioux City, Iowa, to John and Rose (Treiweiler) Besch. She entered the BVM congregation on Sept. 8, 1950, from St. Michael Parish, Sioux City, Iowa. She professed first vows on March 19, 1953, and final vows on July 16, 1958.
Sister Rosemunda was an elementary teacher and librarian at St. Michael in Sioux City, Iowa. She also taught at Sacred Heart in Boone, Iowa; St. John-St. Andrew in Meire Grove, Minn.; St. Catherine and St. Aloysius in Kansas City, Mo.; St. Bridget in Omaha, Nebr.; Our Lady Help of Christians and St. Vincent in Chicago; and St. Bernard in Los Angeles.
“In a 2015 interview for the Year of Consecrated Life, Rosemunda shared, ‘My faith has been sustained over the years by the strong faith and example of my parents, which helped me have a solid belief that Jesus is my Lord and Savior who is with me and guides me wherever I go and whatever I do. My greatest joy in choosing the consecrated life is it provided me with the opportunity to serve and help others.’” (Eulogy.)
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Anna Besch, Elizabeth (William) Rossmar, Marcella (Merwyn) Hamm, and Veronica (William) Little; brothers Matthew, Nicklaus, Lawrence (Hildegard), Leonard, Herman (Lois), Benedict (LaVerne) and Clarence (Alice) Besch. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 73 years.
Memorials may be given to Sisters of Charity, BVM, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or online at https://www.bvmsisters.org/support_donate.cfm.
Watch Memorial Mass and Sharing of Memories Download Eulogy Download Sharing of Memories
Sister Rosemunda Besch was one of my teachers in elementary and middle school. She and Sister Clarenita Froelich left a lasting impact on my life. I will never forget the stories they told, the lessons I learned from them, or the memories I have of them. May she rest in peace.
I met Sister Rosemunda (& Sister Clarenita) when I began working at St. Michael’s School. We all loved working with Sister Rosemunda – she was so much fun, and I loved to tease her. When the sisters decided to retire, Sister trained me for the library position. I was so happy to be able to continue our friendship with chats on the phone, going out for dinner, etc. The sisters continued their Christmas parties in which Sister Rosemunda oversaw the games and prizes. There were so many laughs and wonderful memories made at those parties.
I will always cherish Sister Rosemunda and my years of friendship with her. She will always have a special place in my heart.
Because Sister said that “Jeannie likes chocolate milk,” I felt known! What a marvelous feeling to be felt known! I’m 10 years old and I am special because she knew who I was!
It stayed with me all these 80 years later.
Thank you, Sister!