Sister Rachel (Petra) Berns, OSF, died February 1, 2022, at Clare House in Dubuque.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Clare House Chapel, Mount St. Francis Center at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2022. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests may participate via livestream at: www.youtube.com/dubuquefranciscans.

Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Sister Rachel was born on September 21, 1923, in Garnavillo, Iowa, to Herman and Anna (Hoeger) Berns.

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis August 25, 1941, and made final profession of vows August 10, 1947.  Sister received her bachelor’s degree in education at Loras College, Dubuque.  She ministered as an educator in Iowa at Stacyville, Bancroft, Earlville, and at Sacred Heart and Holy Ghost both in Dubuque. Sister also served at St. Timothy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and in Illinois at St. Mary of the Woods, Chicago, Melrose Park, and Niles.

Sister is survived by her nieces, nephews, and Franciscan sisters.

Sister was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Isabelle (Francis) Bortscheller, Eunice Berns, Marcella Berns, OSF, Mary (Herbert) Koopman, Teresa (Magnus) Schnepf, and Ann (James) McTaggert; her brothers, Benedict Berns, Sylvester (Kathryn Berns Backhaus) Berns, and Cyril (Mary Berns Eulberg) Berns.

The Sisters of St. Francis express their thanks to Hospice of Dubuque for their care and concern.

Memorials may be given to the Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, IA.