Written by Sister Marilyn Keller
and Sister Jean Linder

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006

With these words from Psalm 100, Sister Damien Morman began the story of her life, a delightful piece of literature filled with interesting details. Her story is a love song, a song revealing a religious background filled with music and fun.

Sister Damien was born on November 25, 1913, the third child of her parents, Joseph Morman and Gertrude Schmenk Morman. She was given the name “Mildred” when she was baptized in St. Nicholas Church in Miller City, Ohio. She received the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation in that same church.

It was also in her parish church that she first played the organ at the early age of eight. When she was only five, her mother took her to the piano, played a simple tune and asked her if she wanted to play that tune. She did. The next time around she added harmony to the simple tunes. In her autobiography she says, “With a little praise and more teaching I got hooked! No one bothered me. The other children had more interesting things to do. They weren’t interested in the piano.”

After attending high school in Glandorf for two years, she applied for entrance to St. Francis Convent in Tiffin. She was told she was too young to enter the convent but she could live with the orphans and go to Calvert High School for a year. After spending her junior year at Calvert she entered the convent and was given the habit and veil in March of 1930. On that day Mildred Morman became Sister Mary Damien. She made her first profession of vows in August of 1932 and her final profession in 1935. She attended Teachers’ College, DeSales College, and Mary Manse, earning a BA degree and a BSE. She obtained basic and advanced certificates for teaching music from Alverno School of Music in Milwaukee.

Sister Damien was a “natural” at the organ and at the piano. Her presence at a party meant there would be some lively melodies floating through the air. No matter where the party was, everyone had a good time if Sister Damien spiced it up with her music. She enjoyed playing “The Beer Barrel Polka” as much as she did “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.”

She not only played for the enjoyment of her relatives and friends but she also was the piano player and the organist in the schools and the churches to which she was missioned. These places included Carey, New Washington, Peru, Fort Jennings, Blakeslee, Landeck, New Cleveland, Bucyrus, Marywood, St. Michael Ridge and St. Francis in Tiffin. She also served as a recreational therapist at St. Francis Home.

Sister Damien was a “people” person and related well with all whom she met. She was particularly well pleased when she was elected vice-president of the Tiffin branch of Church Women United.

When she was asked what contributed most to her spiritual growth, Sister Damien said, “The daily Eucharistic celebration of the Mass is my biggest source of help in growing in love. I see Jesus at the words of consecration giving himself again for me, and I say back to Jesus, ‘This is MY body which I am now giving again for YOU,’ a poor match of love and giving, but it really is all I have to give.”

Sister Damien has now given back her body and soul to Jesus in her final act of love. She died peacefully at St. Francis Home on Monday, August 7, 2006, where she had been living since December 5, 2000

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her brothers, Father Ed, Father Dick, Fr. Willie, Adolph, her sisters, Sister Anita, Sister Jovita, and Mae Recker. She is survived by her brothers, Joe and Vince, her sister, Sister Gertrude, her nephew, Father Ken Morman, and many nieces and nephews and friends.

When I asked some of the Sisters, “What one word comes to mind when you think of Sister Damien?” I received these answers: “Smiling,” “Laughter,” “Music.”

Sister Damien, your smile, your laughter, your music will remain with us for a long time after we take you to your final resting place in our cemetery. May you continue to share with the angels in heaven the smile, the laughter, the music you shared with us in our journey together here on earth. We are glad these words from your favorite psalm with which you began your autobiography are now realized for you:

Know ye that the Lord
He is God
He made us;
We belong to Him
We are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.

Written by Sister Jane Schmenk
(minor editing by Sr. Jean Linder)
Read at Sister Damien’s Wake Service, August 10, 2006