Date of death: 11/12/2017

Saint Meinrad Class: SS 2007

Sister Anita Bechert, SP died on Nov. 12, 2017, in Mother Theodore Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on April 23, 1927, in Indianapolis, to Joseph Elmer and Mary Effie Smythe Bechert and was baptized Elizabeth Jane. Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 2,1946, and professed final vows Aug. 15, 1953. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s degree from Indiana State University.Of her 71 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as teacher for 37 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and California. In 1986 she retired from teaching and turned to administrative work. She supervised the Office of Records at the motherhouse from 1991 to 2007. Following that, she continued to give service in the motherhouse offices and to her sisters in a variety of ways.Beginning in 2014, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer. Sister Anita had a generous heart. As a seasoned teacher, she was always willing to help younger sisters beginning their teaching experience. In her 60s, she willingly learned various computer applications in order to continue to do the records work. No matter what her ministry, she gave it her all. Sister is survived by a sister, Anna Marie Ewing, of Canyon Lake, Calif. She is preceded in death by a brother, Francis Bechert, a stepbrother, Herbert Oliver, and two sisters, Dorothy L. Field and Mary Effie English.