Sister Delrey Rudnick
February 7, 1933 ~ May 7, 2021
Joanne Marie Rudnick was born February 7, 1933 in Anamoose, North Dakota, the second of six children born to Joseph and Anne (Stoick) Rudnick. She attended a rural school during her elementary years, and high school at St. James Academy, New Rockford and at Sacred Heart Academy in Minot.
She taught at a rural one-room school before entering the Presentation Sisters in 1953. At her reception as a novice, she was given the name Sister Del Rey. In 1959, she made her final profession of vows.
Sister Del Rey graduated from Minot Teachers College and the College of St. Catherine. She studied theology and pastoral counseling at the University of St. Thomas and received a Master’s Degree in Ministry from Seattle University.
Sister Del Rey taught at Holy Spirit School, St. Mary’s School and St. Anthony’s School in Fargo, and at St. Alphonsus School in Langdon. She was in Pastoral Ministry at Holy Spirit and St. Anthony’s in Fargo. In 1980 she became Director of Pastoral Care at St. Therese Home in New Hope, MN. In 1989 she moved to work as Spiritual Counselor for Hospice in Marshfield, WI. Sr. Del Rey returned to Fargo in 1998 as Coordinator of Spiritual Services for Riverview Place. Following this, she worked with Presentation Partners in Housing from 2004 until 2010.
Despite the physical diminishments caused by multiple sclerosis, Sister Del Rey continued to serve others through prayer and presence. She loved life, had a great sense of humor and certainly knew what it meant to walk with others on their journey home to God. Members of her religious community and her family are grateful for the loving care she received at Villa Maria.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Theodore and Joseph.
She is survived by the members of her Religious Community, her sisters, Margaret (DeVerne), Hoggarth, Valley City and Elaine Gartner, Minot; her brother, James (Sharon) Rudnick Washington, nieces and nephews and sister-in-law, Darlene, California.
May she rest in the arms of our Lord 🙏
My sympathy to the family and special blessings of comfort to Elaine.
To the Rudnick family– My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Darlene Rudnick
Oh, Sr.Del Ray! She was my 8th grade teacher at St. Anthony’s and was a great teacher. Her personality and sense of humor made learning so fun! I had the opportunity to let her know that during my teaching career she was such an inspiration to me. I always used my sense of humor in teaching my special needs children! Blessings to her family and her Religious Community! Bev McShane Malnory
Extending prayers of peace and comfort for Del Rey’s family!
May she rest in peace.
Sr. Del Rey was my 8th grade teacher at Holy Spirit! What a wonderful year we all had with her. It was a blessing to visit with her during my Shanley High School reunion years ago. She is at peace now and will continue to guide from above.
Sister Del Rey was my third grade teacher at Holy Spirit. She had a divided class – 3rd and 4rth grades – mostly 4rth graders. Even so, she did well with the 3rd graders, though I was frequently in trouble for not finishing my home work. I learned a lot that year that served me for the next couple of years. I had a chance to meet her again ten or eleven years later at the convent where my brother was part of a chorus giving a Christmas presentation. At that time, I was surprised at how young she was.
She is one of the teachers I remember most fondly.
What a remarkable woman. Sister Del Rey was one of my favorite teachers at St. Anthony’s. Her smile and humor were such gifts for all of us. Rest in Peace.
Sister Del Rey was my 8th grade teacher at Holy Spirit and was a great inspiration to me. God bless her and may she enjoy her eternal happiness!
I have such wonderful memories of Sr. Del Rey from when I was a child. Her guidance and friendship (with both me and my family) had a great impact on my life. My sympathy to her family and loved ones.
Rest in peace.
We extend our sympathy to Sister Delrey’s family. We met Sister through our parish priest, Father John Smith, when he was at St. Anthony Church in Fairmount, ND. He and Sister Delrey had worked together and were great friends. After Fr. Smith’s death, and Sister Delrey was still driving, she would come once in awhile to visit Fr. Smith’s gravesite. We enjoyed visiting with her and saw her several times over the years while she as at Villa Maria. When we brought her treats, she always insisted sharing with the residents and staff. She was a blessing and we thoroughly loved listening to some of her fun stories. Sister Delrey was a special lady and friend to us, as well as to many other people. Over the last year due to coronavirus, we were unable to visit in person. We will miss this her and pray that God has a wonderful room for her in His heavenly kingdom. Prayers and blessings.
Our thoughts are with all of you for loosing your sister Del
Rey. Condolences to all from Wes and Sharon Seidel (Part of Sharon’ s Family)
Dear Sister Del Ray, you were my Teacher in 7th Grade at Holy Spirit back when growing up as a student I thought I knew everything. I’ll never forget your warm personality. Your laugh when I would call you Sissy. I did push the envelope sometimes however you were leaps ahead of me. I will never forget your goodness nor your laugh. I still hear it today in my memories. Thank you for all you taught me that I live by today. You are the Best.
Thank you Sissy,
Mark