Pius Wenker

Funeral Mass for Brother Pius Wenker, OSB, 90, of Richardton will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 1, 2012 at Assumption Abbey in Richardton with Abbot Brian Wangler, O. S. B. celebrating. Burial will follow in Assumption Abbey Cemetery.


Visitation for Brother Pius will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Assumption Abbey, Richardton, with a Vigil Service being held at 7:00 p.m.


Brother Pius passed away Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Richardton Health Center in Richardton, ND.


Brother Pius was born in Kenmare, ND, June 11, 1922, to Anton and Margaret (Simons) Wenker. He was raised near Columbus, ND and was the youngest of five children. He entered the clerical novitiate at Assumption Abbey on June 1, 1943, and professed his monastic vows July 11, 1944. After three years, Bro. Pius decided to cease studies for the priesthood and joined the lay brothers of the monastery. During his monastic life, Bro. Pius served the community in many ways. In his early monastic life, he was in charge of the chickens, lawns, and trees. From the mid-1960s to spring 1968, he operated the Abbey switchboard. In summer 1968, Bro. Pius was assigned to St. Anthony Indian Mission, Mandaree, ND. Upon his return to the Abbey summer 1969, he again undertook to care for the lawns, did upholstery, and maintained the golf course. In 1975, he had in his care the cafeteria, upholstery, lawns, and the laundry. Three years later, 1978, care of the lawns and general maintenance were his service to the community. During 1979, Bro. Pius retained the laundry and added the switchboard to his work. And so it continued through the years; he would add one task, drop another and do something creative. He was custodian of the cemetery from 1986 to 2004. Due to growing difficulty with arthritis, Bro. Pius retired in 2004. But this did not mean an end to his service to the Abbey and to others. He began to make rosaries with nylon cords, tying one knot at a time. The knots were of a special kind after the Orthodox manner. He continued faithfully in this task until he entered the Richardton Health Center on October 19, 2010. Ever the inventor, if there was a task that needed a better tool, Bro. Pius would make one. If there was a task that needed an easier way to do, he would find the way. Bro. Pius was faithful to the monastic rhythm of prayer, work and lectio divina. He was an avid card player. At the Richardton Health Center, he was known for his sense of humor.


He was preceded in death by his parents and all his brothers and sisters: Rose (Joseph) Mahoney, Lee (Mary) Wenker, Richard (Mildred) Wenker and Vera Wenker.


He is survived by nieces and nephews and the monastic community.


Burial Date: October 1, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Monday: Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND