Memorial Services for Sister Consuelo Covarrubias

Sister Consuelo Covarrubias, 89, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died Holy Thursday, March 28^th, 2024 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen, SD.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30am, Friday, April 5^th, 2024 in Presentation Place Chapel, 405 9th Ave NE, Aberdeen, SD. Liturgical wake service is Thursday, April 4th, 2024 at 6:30 pm in Presentation Place Chapel. Visitation one hour prior to services in Presentation Place Chapel. Inurnment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Services will be live streamed at www.spitzerfuneralhome.com.

Maximiana (Maxeen) Covarrubias was born February 12, 1935 in Carterville, MT to Eulalia (Apesechea) and Juan Covarrubias and graduated from Rosebud High School, MT. She entered Presentation Convent August 3, 1953, professed her vows August 10, 1956 and received her religious name of Sister Consuelo.

A lifelong learner, Sister Consuelo received several degrees: teaching certificate (1959, Presentation College), BS in Spanish (1971, Marquette University), MA in Guidance and Counseling (1978 Antioch College, OH) and MA in Theology (1989, St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN).

During her first 16 years of ministry, Sister Consuelo enjoyed being an elementary teacher in SD and MN and a bilingual high school counselor in WI. She answered the call to serve in Pastoral Hispanic Ministry where she trained leaders for Faith Based Communities in IL, IA and MN. Sister Consuelo was one of three coordinators for Las Hermanas, USA, where she organized women’s retreats and youth groups. In Walworth County, WI, she ministered in Hispanic pastoral work in five parishes. Sister Consuelo returned to Sioux Falls, SD in 2002, and for the next 10 years, she ministered in prisons, hospitals and outreach services at Caminando Juntos. In 2012, Sister Consuelo moved to Aberdeen and continued Hispanic ministry in the Aberdeen area assisting with translation, transportation and many other needs. Sister Consuelo quickly became lifelong friends with the people she met. In her relationships, she shared her warm loving presence with prayer and her healing touch. When discerning ways to do more for others, she often asked, “What Would Nano Nagle Do?”

Gifted in artistry, Sister Consuelo is known for her vivid, yet delicate, water color paintings and sketches. Sister Consuelo enjoyed making posters using recycled cards and other recycled supplies and she loved walking outdoors. She said, “The outdoors is a place I can meditate, let go and just be.”

We wish to thank her Avera hospice and the AMJM team for their loving, compassionate care.

Sister Consuelo is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters; 1 sister: Amparo “Consi” Kelly, many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers: John, Leo, Paul, Frank and 3 sisters: Mary Ruffatto, Socorro Steele, Connie Ratzel.

Memorials may be directed to the Presentation Sisters for Hispanic Ministry.