Sister Cherylyn Dinsmore, OSB, age 72, of Mother of God Monastery, Watertown, SD, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 5, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD.  A Visitation/Memorial service was held at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pierre on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.  A Liturgical Wake will be held at Mother of God Monastery in Watertown on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at 7:00 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the monastery on Friday, September 10, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.  The celebrant will be Fr. Denis Meier.  Burial will be in the monastery cemetery.

     Cherylyn M. Dinsmore was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD, on August 20, 1938, the first of four children born to Frank and Matilda (Owens) Dinsmore of Midland, SD.  Sister Cherylyn graduated from Midland High School in 1956 as valedictorian.  She earned a B.A. degree in education from Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD, and became a certified teacher-librarian through Northern State College. Sister Cherylyn entered Sacred Heart Convent in Yankton, where she made her first vows in 1960.  She became a founding member of Mother of God Monastery in 1961 and made final vows on June 25, 1965.

     Sister’s teaching ministry over the years included:  Stephan Indian Mission, Sacred Heart School in Glen Ullin, ND, Christ the King School, Webster, SD, and St. Mary’s, Aberdeen, SD.  She served two years as high school librarian at Stephan Indian Mission and nine years at Roncalli High School in Aberdeen. 

     Sister Cherylyn’s ministries in Pierre started in 1980, beginning as a part-time library helper at St. Joseph School and office worker at River Park for a few years.  She was then appointed school librarian, computer lab coordinator, and music coordinator for Ss Peter and Paul Church.  She played the organ for the Saturday night Mass on the eve before going Home to God.  Her motto in life was a quote given by her dad, “Pray as if everything depends on God; work as if everything depends on you.” Sister Cherylyn was an unassuming and dearly loved woman. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.

     Sister Cherylyn is survived by her sister, Ruby (Dinsmore) Engelhaupt, of St. Paul, MN; her nieces and nephews; parishioners of SS Peter and Paul Parish; and her Sisters of Mother of God Monastery. 

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Matilda, and her two brothers, Vincent and Blaine. 

     Memorials may be directed to the Benedictine Sisters Foundation in honor and memory of Sister Cherylyn Dinsmore.