Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Gertrude Dolores Schwenk CSC

Sept. 6, 1932 - March 3, 2005

South Bend Tribune 3/6/2005

Sister M. Gertrude Dolores (Gertrude Mary Schwenk), CSC, 72, was born in Knox, Ind., to the late Rudolph Michael Schwenk and Fern Ethel Schertz Schwenk. She is survived by her brother, Gene F. (Carol) Schwenk, Rochester, Ind.; a sister-in-law, Liale Schwenk of Rochester, Ind.; and by many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Garland, Gerald, Gilbert, Glenn and George Schwenk.

Sister Gertrude received her early education at schools in Grovertown and Rochester, Ind. She had begun her nursing training in 1951, and after entering the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1952 she attended Holy Cross School of Nursing, South Bend, graduating in 1956, and Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, receiving a bachelor of science degree, major in nursing and minor in science, 1960.

Sister's first assignment as a nurse was at St. John's Hospital, Anderson, Ind., where she was head nurse until 1958. She was assigned to Saint Joseph's Hospital, South Bend, as head nurse/nursing supervisor and then director of nursing through the years 1958-1966. Sister attended Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., as a graduate student receiving her master's in science degree, major in nursing administration and minor in medical surgical nursing. She was again assigned to Saint John's Hospital, Anderson, as director of nursing, 1968-1969, and moved to Saint Joseph's Hospital, South Bend, as associate director and director of nursing 1969-1983, and was vice president of Saint Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend, 1983-1987.

Sister Gertrude Dolores was elected to the Midwest Region and acted as regional treasurer 1987-1989. She received training and certification as a HUD Assisted Housing Manager, and in 1989 became administrator of residential services, site manager, at St. Joseph's Tower where she resided until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Reception of the body will be Sunday, March 6, at 2:30 p.m. Wake service will follow at 4 p.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral services will be Monday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m., Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.