Sister Mary David Hartse, osu, (baptismal name-Lenora May) a member of the Ursuline Community in Moscow, Idaho, peacefully answered the call of God to “come home” on Tuesday morning, February 7, 2017, at Good Samaritan Moscow Village.
The vigil service (rosary and sharing of memories of Sister’s life) was at Short’s starting at 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2017.
The Mass of Resurrection celebrating Sister Mary David’s life was at St. Augustine’s Church, 628 S Deakin St, Moscow, ID at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 11. Fr. Chase Hasenoehrl, Father Joseph McDonald and Father Joseph Schmidt were concelebrants. Following Mass, burial took place at the Moscow Cemetery. After the graveside, there was a luncheon at St. Mary’s Family Center, 618 E 1st St, Moscow, ID.
Sister Mary David is survived by her many nieces and nephews and other relatives. She was predeceased by her father and mother: Joseph M. and Nora O’Keefe Hartse and by her siblings: eight sisters, Cleo, Ruth, Madge, Edna, Ethel, Patricia, Hazel and Mary; and four brothers, Dennis, Leslie, Justin and James.
She was born in Golva, North Dakota on September 13, 1928, one of thirteen children in the family. When she was in high school, she boarded at Ursuline Academy in Miles City, Montana. It was there that she came to know and felt drawn to answer the call to being an Ursuline Sister. After high school, in 1947, she entered the Ursulines. After receiving her college degree from the College of New Rochelle, NY, she served in several areas of ministry:
• Taught in elementary schools in Great Falls, Montana, Moscow, Idaho and Santa Rosa, California
• She worked many years in elementary school administration, especially at Our Lady of Lourdes in Great Falls, Montana as well as Holy Family School in the same city. She served as principal at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Moscow, Idaho for six years.
• For over six years she gave service in the Ursuline Order as a counselor for the Western Province (that covers the states of Montana, Idaho, California and Alaska).
• She also served in campus ministry for many years working at Newman Centers, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Center in Moscow, Idaho and at Boise State University. Working with the youth at the university level was a great love of her life.
Prior to returning to Moscow, she lived and ministered at Prairie Towers in Billings, MT.
In the last few years, even though she herself was physically incapacitated and needed care at Good Samaritan Village Care Center, Sister Mary David still reached out to provide care and solace to her fellow patients, as well as staying in touch with family and those she ministered to for many years.
The Ursuline Community wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the many friends and family of Sister Mary David for their solicitous and caring friendship for so many years. The Ursulines also want to express their deepest appreciation to the entire staff at Good Samaritan Village in Moscow for their wonderful service and compassionate care since 2013.
Memorials may be made either to: St. Mary’s School Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 8485, Moscow, ID 83843, or to Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 639 Angela Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow, ID and online condolences may be sent to shortsfuneralchapel.net.
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