Sister Anne Marie Geray, age 96, died peacefully on March 7, 2025 at Villa St. Vincent, Crookston, MN.
She was born on August 10, 1928 in Beaulieu, MN, the second of six children of Alphonse M. Geray and Anne Catherine (Kirsch) Geray. At baptism she was given the name Janet Mary.
She attended Flowing Well Grade School in Mahnomen, MN and Mahnomen High School. She earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN and became the secretary/office manager for the county extension agent for Clay and Mahnomen Counties.
Janet entered Mount Saint Benedict Monastery on August 15, 1955. She received the Benedictine habit and the name Sister Anne Marie on July 2, 1956, made temporary vows the next year and perpetual vows on July 11, 1960.
Sister Anne Marie was life-long learner. She attended selected courses at the College of St. Scholastica, St. John’s University and the University of Minnesota Crookston. In 1966, she earned a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the College of St. Thomas.
Sister Anne Marie contributed in many ways over the years. She was an elementary teacher in Lefor, ND, a high school teacher and counselor at Mount St. Benedict Academy, and a religious education coordinator in several parishes. She said her favorite assignment was as director of Mount St. Benedict Center who promoted outreach programs, the Ministry School for Religious Education and introduced Elderhostel programs. She twice organized and directed a Benedictine Renewal Program at the Mount. She was instrumental in establishing the oblate program for Mount Saint Benedict Monastery and served as director for a number of years. From 2005 to 2011 she served the community as its subprioress.
Sister enjoyed crafts, collecting things and making something “artsy” things with them. She like to read, sew, hike and grow things. She photographed and documented the construction of the 2015 Mount building.
Sister Anne Marie had a low-key and graceful way of making the lives of her sisters easier and enjoyable. “Well,” she said, “I always felt like I fit in.”
Preceding her in death are her parents, Alphonse M. Geray and Anne Catherine (Kirsch) Geray, her step-mother, Marie Geray and brothers John and James. She is survived by brothers Walter and George Geray, a sister, Rosalyn Bauer (Mrs. Marcus Bauer), many nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Benedict of Crookston.
Funeral services for Sister Anne Marie Geray will be held Wednesday, March 19 in Sacred Heart Chapel, Mount Saint Benedict, Crookston, MN.
Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: 2:00 p.m. Celebrant: Bishop Andrew Cozzens.
Internment in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in late spring. Arrangements by Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston, Minnesota. Services will be livestreamed, the link to which can be found by going to www.stenshoelhouske.com/obituaries and following the prompts to Sister Anne’s page.
