Raphael Stovik

The Reverend Raphael Stovik, O.S.B., age 91, of the Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND, died Wednesday, September 05, 2007, at the Richardton Memorial Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007 at 10:30 AM Mountain Time in the Assumption Abbey Church in Richardton. Burial will be in the Assumption Abbey Cemetery. Vigil services will be held on Friday at 7:00 PM Mountain Time at the Assumption Abbey Church. Raymond Thomas Stovik was born in Curlew, WA on August 15, 1916 to Charles and Mary (Braun) Stovik. Raymond was from a family of ten boys and a girl. He was 19 years old when the family moved back to their native Wahpeton, ND. Four of the Stovik boys became priests, and three of those were also monks. Fr. Raphael was the last of these four to die. He was in the US Army from 1941 to 1945. After several years stateside, he was transferred to the European theatre where he participated in some of the most crucial and fiercest battles of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge. Often during his later years, on December 6, he would say: ”Today it began,” namely, the Battle of the Bulge. After he left the army he went to college at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. In 1951 he joined Assumption Abbey and made his vows on July 11, 1952. He was ordained on May 20. 1956. After a brief assignment as pastor of Fallon, ND, he began summer school at the University of North Dakota and taught at the Abbey schools. He was most noted for his typing class. In August of 1960 he received his MA in Commercial Studies. From 1968 to 1981 Fr. Raphael worked in Montana. Initially he was a hospital chaplain in Billings and later in Miles City. In 1979 he became associate pastor of Holy Rosary Church, Billings. He returned to the Abbey in 1981. The following year he was back in pastoral work as pastor of Selfridge/Solen, ND. In 1984 he became pastor of New Hradec, ND and part time chaplain of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dickinson, ND. On June 30, 1995 he retired as pastor but continued as hospital chaplain commuting from the Abbey. On a blizzardy winter day in January, 1997, while on his way to a pastoral weekend assignment, he suffered a minor stroke. He recovered some, but by September 1, 1997, he found it necessary to retire completely. Fr. Raphael enjoyed his retirement at the Abbey. His friendly and social nature and upbeat spirit made him easily loved by all. The effects of the stroke gradually worsened and on the fateful day of September 11, 2001, he moved to the Richardton Health Center. While there his health decreased very gradually until he died. He is survived by one brother, Hubert, Denver, CO, and a sister Mary Ann Beltramini, Santa Rosa, CA, and his monastic community. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers. Each of our monks will offer three Holy Masses for the repose of his soul. Each member of the Congregation is requested to offer the customary suffrages.


Burial Date: September 8, 2007