Marty -- Sister Mary Francis Poitra, O.S.B.S., 88, of Marty, SD, peacefully went to her Lord at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner on Friday evening, April 22, 2005.

Mass of the Resurrection will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2005, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Marty, with Rev. Denis Quinkert, O.S. B., Rev. Stanislaus Maudlin, O.S.B. and Rev. David Tickerhoof, T.O.R., officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Wake services will be held at the church Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Sister Francis was a dedicated servant of the Lord, helping in various ministries throughout her long life. She took care of little boys in the dorm for 11 years, while sewing and mending for them at St. Paul's Indian Mission in Marty. Sometimes there were many boys in the dorm. She also was in charge of the school laundry at the same time. At one time, Sr. Francis and Amelia Decoteau, her dear friend, made 250 coats, from donated leather, for the school children at Marty. She had numerous bazaars to raise money for the school laundry to buy washing machines, dryers and soap. Sister worked 10 years in the community kitchen, cooking for the priests, brothers and Mission laity.

Sister Francis worked two years with the people of St. Joseph's Parish in Mobridge and a few years with Native American people on the Cheyenne River Reservation. In her "older years," she visited and brought communion to "the elderly." She cherished the award Good Samaritan Home gave her as "Volunteer of the Year." Sister Francis became a resident of the home in 2004. She was a member of the Marty Kateri Circle.

The highlight of her life was a trip to Rome, Italy in 1980, for the beautification of Mother Katharine Drexel, S.B.S.

Sister Francis was born Delia Rose Poitra to Fred and Mary (Parisien) Poitra in Rolette County, ND on May 17, 1916. She was raised mostly by her grandmother, Marie T. Poitra. She was a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe.

Sister entered the Oblate Sisters at Marty in 1937. Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament directed the training of the Oblate Sisters at that time. She made for first profession of the three vows June 8, 1940.

Sister Francis attended school in Belcourt, at St. Paul's Mission in Marty, and earned her GED at Southern State Teacher's College at Springfield, SD. She also took courses at University of South Dakota and Briar Cliff College and was certified to teach religious education. Sister Francis loved learning.

Sister also loved driving and remarked, "I want to drive all the way to heaven!"

Sister was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents; brothers: Joseph, Oscar, Elmer, Dominic, Billy and Patrick; and two sisters of her religious community: Sister Christine Hudson and Sr. Lillian DuBois.

Sister is survived by her religious community; Oblate Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament; one brother, Ed of Salt Lake City, UT; one sister, Rita Brien of Belcourt, ND; and beloved nieces and nephews.