RAPID CITY- Sister Grace Schmit, OSB, 98, entered eternal life on Monday, September 15 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Born October 8, 1915, in Woonsocket, S.D. and baptized Mary Sophie, she was the daughter of Edward and Catherine (Ranker) Schmit. When she was only seven, her mother died as a result of a buggy accident. On the advice of Father Joseph Golden, Edward placed her and her three brothers in the care of the Benedictine Sisters at St. Martin's in Sturgis. From then on, she did not return home. She entered the convent prior to her high school graduation, pronounced Temporary Vows in 1933 and Perpetual Vows in 1938. Her first assignment was prefect of the grade school boys who boarded to attend St. Martin's. In 1937, she entered the School of Nursing in Hot Springs and later in Deadwood where she graduated in 1940. At St. Joseph's Hospital, Deadwood, she held many positions: supervisor of obstetrics, medical records librarian, night supervisor of surgery, secretary for the medical staff, and, finally, Administrator of the hospital. Her years of nursing in Deadwood were followed by assignments at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Hot Springs and St. John's Hospital in Rapid City. In 1967, she became Nursing Service Director for the New Underwood Extended Care Facility for a year. Then she became a Coronary Care Specialist until she was appointed Sub-prioress at St. Martin's Monastery. From 1974-1977 she worked with catechetical ministry in Casper, Wyoming. In 1977, she was elected for a four-year term as Prioress. When her term ended, she went to St. Ambrose Parish in Deadwood where she worked in catechetics until she returned in 2004 to St. Martin Monastery where she spent hours praying in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. From there, she assisted Father Paul Dahms with chaplain duties at Fort Meade. Sister Grace is survived by two nieces, Linda Cancilla of Phoenix, Arizona, Dolly Housner of Phoenix, Arizona and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5:30-6:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 19, at St. Martin Monastery Chapel, with a Vigil Service at 6:30 pm. Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Holy Cross Chapel, Terra Sancta with Bishop Robert Gruss presiding. Interment will follow in St. Martin Cemetery.