St. Malachy’s Parish, Creston, Iowa, a parish attended by the abbey community, sent Father Bede.  He made his first profession July 11, 1931, finished his philosophical studies at Sant’Anselmo, Rome, and after doing theology as well, was ordained July 12, 1936.

Father Venard was a gifted pianist if not a genius at the keyboard.  He earned a Masters in Music at Columbia University. In addition he studied at Julliard and The Pius X School of Music in New York, N.Y., as well.

Once shortly before his death Father Isidore told one of the clerics who served his morning Mass that he had preached a lot of sermons on hope, but now that he was failing he realized that he put out a lot of good theory and now that at his present state of health he had to put his words into practice! 

Brother Wolfgang, one of three “ Wolves” in our community along with Abbot Innocent and Father Ferdinand, like them, was born in Germany, he in 1868.  He entered the novitiate of the abbey in 1895 and made vows the following year. 

Brother John died on January 10 of a heart attack while gathering firewood. His heart was weakened also by type-one diabetes; he had medicated since being a teenager. 

Father Maurus was an “Okie” along with Father Boniface Moll.  He came to Atchison and St. Benedict’s High School in 1911, attended St. Benedict’s College, 1915-1921, and the Abbey School of Theology until 1925 when he was ordained June 6.  He had professed his first monastic vows July 2, 1919.

James Pillar entered St. Andrew’s Abbey, Cleveland, Ohio, after attending Benedictine High School there.  He took the name Anselm and as Frater Anselm came to St. Benedict’s College.  He transferred his stability to St. Benedict’s Abbey and made solemn vows here July 11, 1946.

A devotee of the comic strip character, Popeye, and a recipient of an original message from Popeye’s cartoonist, E.E. Segar, Father Gervase Burke died of cancer.

Anton Eckstaller entered St. Benedict’s Abbey, April 13, 1913.  As Brother Anthony he made his profession May 14, 1914, shortly before the outbreak of World War I.  He held many jobs in the community.  With a special permit necessary during Prohibition, he purchased the Mass wine for the abbey and dispensed it.