Sr. Mary Brenden Kress

Sister Mary Brenden was born, Native American, on June 11, 1924 in Graham’s Island, Minnewaukan, North Dakota.  Her parents, William and Evelyn Lenoir Kress raised 1 boy and 2 girls; Marian was the second oldest.  Her early years were not easy as she lost both parents by the time she graduated high school, and then contracted tuberculosis at the age of 20. After a long recovery, Marian went to work as secretary at St. Augustine Indian Mission in Winnebago, Nebraska. Here she met the Sisters of Notre Dame. At the age of 26, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame and made her profession of vows on August 10, 1950. Sister Mary Brenden began her ministry in Cincinnati, Ohio at St. Aloysius Orphanage in 1949, teaching and caring for the kindergarten boys. She continued her ministry while completing her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Our Lady of Cincinnati College and her Master of Education at Xavier University. For over 43 years she worked in child care and elementary teaching. After retiring, Sister moved to the Provincial Center often visiting and reading to the sisters in Lourdes Hall Care Center. She was also active in the SND Apostolate of Prayer. Sister is preceded in death by her parents, her brother John, and her sister, Genevieva Jones, also by her half- sisters, Blanch Martin and Lucille L’Esperance, and her half- brothers, Arthur, Peter, Francis and Richard L’Esperance. Sister leaves behind nieces and her dearest friend, Ms. Marilyn Beischel. Visitation begins at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the Provincial Center, followed by the wake service at 5:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7:00 p.m. in the convent chapel. Interment will follow Mass on Thursday morning, April 14, in the convent cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Sisters of Notre Dame, 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY.