RAPID CITY- Sister Margaret Mary (Bernice) Keogh, OSB, 95, entered eternal life on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at St. Martin Monastery, Rapid City, SD. The fourth of seven children, she was born on September 20, 1919 to John and Catherine Keogh in Norden, NE. She attended a rural elementary school near her home and graduated from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, SD. She entered St. Martin's Convent in Sturgis in 1939. She was received as a novice in 1940 and was given the name Sister Margaret Mary. She made her first profession as a Benedictine in 1941 and her perpetual profession in 1944. Sister Margaret Mary graduated from St. John's McNamara School of Nursing, Rapid City, in 1944. She worked as an R.N. at St. John's Hospital and at St. Joseph Hospital, Deadwood, until 1952, when she attended St. Louis University and obtained a graduate degree in nursing. From 1955-1964 she was education director and later director of St. John's McNamara School of Nursing, where she implemented many innovative teaching methods. She served on the Black Hills Area Comprehensive Planning Council from 1964-1968 and was a charter member and treasurer of the Western Health Systems board of directors. In 1978 she accepted an invitation from St. Thomas More College, Fort Mitchell, KY, to assist in the establishment of a four-year nursing program. Sister Margaret Mary was elected prioress of St. Martin Monastery in 1981. She resigned in 1984 because of ill health and moved to Great Falls, MT, where she volunteered her services at Columbus Hospital and the Diocese of Great Falls and was active in the local peace movement. Upon her return to St. Martin Monastery in 1998 she managed the monastery gift shop and altar bread sales. She is survived by her sister Agnes Volmer of Winner, SD, many nieces and nephews and her Benedictine Community. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers John, George, James and Robert and her sister Mary Hughes. Visitation will at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 22, followed by a Vigil service at 6:30 p.m. at St. Martin Monastery Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the monastery chapel at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, with the Most Rev. Robert Gruss presiding. Burial will be in the St. Martin Monastery Cemetery, Rapid City, SD. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Martin Monastery Health Care Unit.