Sister Cecile Marie Uhlorn, OSB

August 29, 1939 – September 19. 2023

Sister Cecile Marie Uhlorn, OSB, 84, passed into eternal life on September 19, 2023, at Grangeville Health and Rehabilitation, Grangeville, Idaho.

She was born Elizabeth Ann on August 29, 1939, to Aloysius Uhlorn and Scholastica (Duman) Uhlorn in Ferdinand, Idaho, one of 12 children. After being educated by the Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, she entered the community in 1957. She professed her first vows in 1959.

Sister Cecile Marie attended St. Gertrude’s Junior College before embarking on her teaching ministry, serving at the grade school level in Cottonwood, Grangeville, Nezperce, Rupert, Nampa, St. Maries and Lewiston. She later attended the University of Idaho, where she also served as a chaplain at St. Augustine’s and, later, in campus ministry at St. Martin’s University, Lacey, Washington.

Her ministries at the monastery included vocations, formation and liturgist. Earning a master’s degree in liturgy from St. John’s University, her love of music led to her involvement with creating the Liturgy of the Hours books for the community, and she wrote many of the antiphon melodies that are included on those pages. She taught piano to numerous students, and played the organ for Eucharistic celebrations and prayer in the monastery chapel.

Sister Cecile Marie spent the years 1998-2005 in Sarnen, Switzerland, at the monastery from which St. Gertrude’s was founded, playing and teaching the organ. She could play most any instrument by ear, and had an exceptional singing voice.

Sister Cecile Marie was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her siblings Cletus, Gerald, Maurus, Rita, Edna, Jane, Sister Angela, and Merna Clare. She is survived by her brother Vern, sisters Irma Tacke and Sally (Ralph) Terhaar, numerous nieces and nephews, and her Benedictine community.

A rosary vigil was held on September 28 in the chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on September 29, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.

Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville, Idaho (), handled arrangements. Memorial gifts can be made to the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, Idaho 83522, or via the website.

Watch the video of the Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Cecile Marie.