March 1, 1932 – August 6, 2024
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Anna Marie DeVos, CSJ, who entered into eternal life in the early morning of August 6, 2024 at Carondelet Village in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Positive, loving, compassionate and the “kindest person you would ever meet,” are among the sentiments shared by those who knew Sister Anna Marie best. She was born the middle daughter of eleven children to Julius and Mary Elizabeth (Brewers) DeVos, on a farm in Marshall, Minnesota, on March 1, 1932.
At 21 in 1953, Anna Marie entered the sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In 1963, she received a bachelor of arts in sociology and education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.
She was first missioned to teach elementary education at St. Columba and St. Gregory in St. Paul; Christ the King and St. Charles Borromeo in Minneapolis; and St. Thomas Aquinas in South St. Paul. Her longest mission, spanning 24 years, was at her beloved Holy Redeemer School and Parish in Marshall, Minnesota, where she taught fifth and sixth grade (1972-85), became assistant principal (1985-91), and later principal (1991-96).
In 1996, Anna Marie received the Bishop’s Medal of Service from Bishop Raymond Lucker, and in 2001, she received the Pride in the Tiger Foundation (Marshall, Minnesota) inducted her into the Hall of Honor citing “she is a creative, caring person who put students’ welfare before all else.”
With a life dedicated to service, her retirement was filled with volunteering in and around Marshall, Minnesota at Habitat for Humanity, Western Community Action, Heart to Heart, as well as being a tour guide for Southwest Travel. All who knew and loved her will miss her joyful presence, welcoming spirit, and beautiful smile.
Sister Anna Marie is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Priscilla DeVos, Rose Labat and Jenny Peltier; her brothers Edward, Jim, Julius, Leo, Roy and Victor DeVos. She is survived by sisters Betty DeVos and Donna Johnson, many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews and dear friends including Marian Walstrom, CSJ; the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. Memorials in her honor preferred to go to Holy Redeemer School in Marshall Minnesota.
Dear Anna Marie, rest in love and peace.