Sister SaBina Joyce, 95, a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died Friday, June 26, 2020 at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.

Services and burial will be private with a Memorial Mass held at a later date. Interment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home.   Visit spitzerfuneralhome.com to leave condolences.

Marian Jeannette Joyce was born May 18, 1925 in Aberdeen, SD to Raymond Eugene and Sabina M. (Knox) Joyce.  She graduated from Sykes High School, Sykeston, ND in 1943.  She entered Presentation Convent September 8, 1944 professing vows on August 10, 1947 and receiving her religious name of Sister M. SaBina.

Sister SaBina received an associate teaching degree from Notre Dame Junior College, Mitchell in 1948, Bachelor’s in Education from Northern State Teachers College, Aberdeen in 1962, Masters in English from Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI in 1968 and Pastoral Ministry Certificate from Washington Theological University, DC in 1989. 

Sister dedicated over 50 years of her 75 years of ministry to educating students in Aberdeen, Jefferson, Sioux Falls, Dell Rapids and Mitchell, SD; Anoka and Wilmar, MN; and Miles City, MT.  She taught English and directed the Shalom Singers at Presentation College from 1969-1980 and was Mission Effectiveness Coordinator at Presentation College and (Avera) Mother Joseph Manor from 1989-1999.  She served on the College Board of Directors for 10 years. Sister taught in the ESL program at Caminando Juntos, Sioux Falls until 2010 when she moved to Presentation Convent and began full-time prayer ministry.

Sister SaBina had a passion for the liturgy and the arts including co-writing songs, acting, directing dramatic productions and painting.  She also enjoyed cooking and making delicious homemade caramels for family and friends who loved her dearly.

She is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters; sister, Rose Anne (Edward) Colella, Sioux Falls, sister-in-law, Elaine Joyce and brother-in-law, Bill Knapp.  She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Sister Eleanor Joyce, PBVM and Bernadine Knapp; five brothers, Dr. John, Thomas, Raymond, Ronald and Rev. James Joyce.

Memorials are preferred to Presentation College for the Joyce Family Scholarship Fund.