Sister Mary Ellen Dater, 90, died Jan. 25, 2022, in the Dominican Sisters’ convent infirmary, Great Bend. She was born June 5, 1931, in Antonino, Kan., the daughter of August and Otillia (Kreutzer) Dater. She entered the Dominican Sisters Community in 1945 and pronounced vows in 1948. Sister Mary Ellen celebrated 70 years of religious profession in 2018.

Sister Mary Ellen ministered in a variety of different ways. She began as an elementary school teacher, teaching for more than 40 years in several parish schools in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. She then received training as a massage therapist and ministered at Heartland Farm doing massage and a wide variety of other things. She retired to the motherhouse in Great Bend in November of 2021.

Sister Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Esther and Theresa. She is survived by two brothers Silver (Delores) Dater of Lenexa, Kan., Eddie (Pauline) Dater of Oklahoma City, Okla.; two sisters Roseann (James) Lawrence of Ocean Pines, M.D., and Leona (William) Powell of Spokane, Wash.; several nieces and nephews; as well as the Dominican Sisters of Peace.  

A Wake Servce will be held at 10:30 on Monday, Feb. 7. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 on that same day. Both will take place at the Sisters’ Convent. All attendees are asked to wear a mask. Burial will be in the Sisters’ Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Sister Mary Ellen may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219-2098. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net. Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS   67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 30, 2022