Gretchen McKean

Sister Gretchen McKean, CHM, 86, died at Bishop Drumm Care Center, Johnston, IA on December 3, 2018.

Visitation will be at the Humility of Mary Center, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday, December 6, from 4 until 7p.m. with the Rosary at 4 pm and the Vigil service at 7 pm. The funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Humility of Mary Center, Davenport.

Gertrude McKean was born to James and Anna Dickman McKean in Bradford, Illinois on October 25, 1932.  She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1951, professing vows in 1954.

Sister Gretchen’s degrees include:  AA, Ottumwa Heights College; BA, Marycrest College; MS, Marquette University, and Ph.D., University of Illinois.

Her ministry was centered on education, with elementary school teaching from 1954-1961 in Iowa and Illinois.  At Marquette University she served as a teaching assistant from 1961-1963.  She taught Biology at Marycrest College from 1963-2002 and served as Department Chair for many years.  From 1997-2002 she was Director of the Spirituality Center on campus.

Her engagement in religious and spiritual matters is evident in her service on the Davenport Diocesan Sisters Council and attendance at meetings of the National Assembly of Women Religious and Call to Action.  She made pilgrimages to France, Rome and the Holy Land.

Sister retired to Humility of Mary Center in Davenport in 2002 and to Bishop Drumm in 2014.

Preceding her in death were her parents. Sister Gretchen was the last survivor of seven children: Joseph, John, James, Fr. Benedict, OSB, Daniel and Mary Margaret.   She is survived by nieces and nephews and also the Sisters and Associates of her community.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.