
Sister Luella (Cyrilla) Walsh passed away on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, the Feast of Epiphany, in Rio Grande City, at the age of 97.
She was born on Nov. 13, 1927, in Greenbush, Minnesota, the second of 11 children of James Patrick Walsh and Helen Theresa (Witzman) Walsh. Her parents named her Luella Theresa Walsh at her baptism.
She attended Rural School, District #18 in Badger, Minnesota for her elementary education. She went on to graduate from Badger High School. Sister Luella’s family supported her desire to become a sister. Her mother’s oldest sister was a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and her mother prayed that one of her daughters would become a sister. Luella entered Mount St. Benedict Monastery on Jan. 6, 1945. When Luella became a novice on July 11, 1945, she received the name Sister Cyrilla. She made her first profession on July 11, 1946, and her final profession on July 16, 1949. She later resumed her baptismal name and was known as Sister Luella.
Sister Luella received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the College of St. Catherine, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a master’s certificate in religious education from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Valley Baptist Hospital, in Harlingen, and Certification with National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC).
Sister Luella’s ministry took some twists and turn. From 1946‐1971, she taught elementary school classes in many Catholic schools in Minnesota: St. Michael’s in Mahnomen, Cathedral in Crookston, St. Francis in Moorhead, St. Bernard’s in Thief River Falls, St. Joseph’s in Rosen, Holy Rosary in Detroit Lakes, St. Joseph’s in Red Lake Falls, and Assumption in Barnesville. She then turned her attention to teaching in public schools: Asherton Independent School in Asherton, Texas and public schools of Harlingen.
Sister Luella made a major change in ministry when she began clinical pastoral education in Harlingen and Weslaco. In 1987 she began serving as a hospital chaplain at Knapp Hospital in Weslaco.
From 1989 to 1994, she worked with the Joachim and Ann (Elderly Program) in Escobares, at Sacred Heart Church. Beginning in 1995, Sister Luella and Sisters Nancy Boushey and Fran Solum petitioned the Crookston Benedictines to establish the Good Shepherd Monastery near Rio Grande City. Shortly afterward, the sisters decided to quit their jobs and devote their entire lives to full-time monastic life. Sister Luella’s ministry included the director of Oblates, hospitality provider for retreats, and sacristan.
Sister Luella was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Mary Munsrud, Sarah Johnson, Pauline (Polly) Shafer, Charles Walsh (deceased at 6 weeks), Jim Walsh, Allen Walsh, George Walsh. She is survived by siblings, Jeanette Eklund, Leonard Walsh, many nieces and nephews, and the Sisters of St. Benedict of Crookston and Good Shepherd Monastery in Starr County, TX!
Outstanding traits of Sister Luella were that of her great love for the Benedictine way of life, presence at all prayer times and also her love for people as expressed in her warm hospitality!
Funeral arrangements are pending with Sanchez Funeral Home of Rio Grande City.
Additional Obituary for sister Luella can be found on the funeral home’s website by clicking on this link.