Sister Margaret Kienstra, OP

“The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me.” ~ Psalm 23

Sr. Margaret said she dreamed of “peace, understanding, and pleasant communication.” Much of her life was about realizing that dream in word and deed. William and Mary Mooney Kienstra welcomed their second of five children on August 8, 1927, in Wood River, Illinois, a small town on the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up, she was deeply inspired by her maternal grandmother, a remarkable woman who, despite losing an arm, graduated from college, taught school, raised five children, and played an active role in parish and community life. Sr. Margaret cherished visits with her grandmother, listening to her stories and learning lessons of resilience, compassion, and quiet strength.

Sr. Margaret began her education at St. Bernard Elementary School and Wood River Community High School. A defining moment for Margaret came in her junior year when she attended the reception ceremony of her cousin who had joined the Good Shepherd Sisters in St. Louis. She was impressed with the ceremony and the peace and happiness that glowed on her cousin’s face; she felt a tug in her own heart for this kind of life.

After high school, Sr. Margaret attended Webster College in Webster Grove, Missouri and later St. Louis University. During this time, she also helped with the care of her ailing mother, worked for her father in his business and briefly worked as a receptionist in a dentist’s office

During these years she joined a youth group where she learned about St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas – her first introduction to Dominican spirituality. Answering an advertisement by the Grand Rapids Dominicans in the Sacred Heart Messenger, she wrote for information. Then she began to receive a series of the “Dear Polly” letters. The emphasis Dominicans put on a balance of prayer and apostolic life felt like a good fit for her.

Before entering, Sr. Margaret traveled widely in the United States and Europe. On June 20, 1953, she entered the congregation. At reception, she received the name Gretchen, a Germanic form of Margaret, which she kept until after Vatican II. She earned her B.A. at Aquinas College, pursued theology at St. Paul Seminary in Saginaw, and later completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University.

Sr. Margaret began her teaching career at St. Philomena School in Beal City. Over the years, she taught or served as principal at many schools, including Holy Trinity (Alpine), St. Boniface (Bay City), Sacred Heart (Mt. Pleasant), St. Joseph (West Branch), St. Basil (South Haven), St. Mary (Lowell), St. Mary (Grayling), St. Joseph (Pewamo), St. John (Essexville), and St. Joseph (Wright). Her longest mission was at St. Joseph, Wright, where she spent nineteen years as principal and teacher. Reflecting on the school’s 125th anniversary in 1990, she praised it as “a real family-oriented school…Actually, it’s not just a school, it’s a community.”

After hip replacement surgery, Sr. Margaret volunteered as a tutor and librarian at St. Michael School in Brunswick. Later, she retired to Marywood, where she served as a receptionist in the East Wing.

Sister Margaret’s delight in traveling before she entered did not end with her religious vocation. She enjoyed trips through the Canadian Rockies, a cruise in the inland passage of Alaska, and visits to Yellowstone Park and other Western landmarks. She remembers with fondness her trips to Albuquerque, Anaheim, and New Orleans. A cherished time was spent on Beaver Island where she relished the beauty and slower pace of island life.

Generous with her time, she often drove Sisters to appointments, worked in the mailroom, and quietly responded wherever help was needed.

When travel was no longer possible, Sr. Margaret found joy in card playing, jigsaw puzzles, Bingo (which she often won), knitting and reading.

A woman of few words and even fewer needs, Sr. Margaret relished her afternoons with Oreo cookies and a cup of coffee – a passer-by was invariably offered a cookie accompanied by a warm and inviting smile – a smile that communicated more than an invitation to a cookie, but an invitation to join her in a life of quiet understanding and deep peace.

Sr. Margaret loved her Dominican life and was grateful for the support and encouragement she received. In turn, she was loved very much and will be greatly missed.

Sr. Margaret is survived by her brother Jerry Kienstra, other family, friends, and members of her Dominican Community.