Memorial Services for Sister Elizabeth Remily

Memorial Services for Sister Elizabeth "Liz" Remily

Sister Elizabeth "Liz" Remily, 96, Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died peacefully on October 26, 2025, at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls, SD.

Liturgical Wake Service will be held at 5:30 p.m., October 30 at Miller Funeral Home Downtown, 507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., October 31 at Church of St Mary, 2109 S. 5th Ave., Sioux Falls. Visitation will be held one-half-hour prior to each service. Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD.

Elizabeth Agnes Remily was born February 16, 1929, to Louise (Kapperich) and Edwin Remily in Turton, SD. She graduated from Turton High School and professed vows with the Presentation Sisters (Aberdeen, SD) on August 10, 1949.

Sister Liz received her nursing education at Presentation School of Nursing and St. Joseph School of Nursing (Mitchell, SD). She served as a surgical nursing supervisor for 12 years at St. Joseph Hospital (Avera Queen of Peace) and (Avera) St. Luke's Hospital. In 1965, she answered the Second Vatican Council's call to respond to the growing needs of the rural poor throughout the world.

In collaboration with the Presentation Sisters of San Francisco, she and three other sisters were the first PBVMs to start a foreign mission in Latin America. Traveling to Mexico and working with and alongside the local people, these sisters founded Hospital San Carlos in Chiapas and Hospital San Antonio in San Luis Potosi. During this time, Sister Liz said, "When people hurt at all hours of the day, you respond, because that is what people do for each other."

Returning to the US in 1992, Sister Liz worked to fulfill another need as a principal founder of Berakhah House, a ministry to those living with HIV/AIDS. She opened her heart for those that were suffering, providing dignity and love to all.

At age 70, she traveled to Guatemala, establishing Clinica Santa Clara La Laguna in Sololá. At age 80, she established Clinica San José in San Marcos.

Sister Liz talked about her life of service. "I credit my parents for my faith. Through them, I developed a special devotion to the Rosary, always praying for the needs of others. I felt the Lord always provided and listened to our prayers. I have learned that if you have faith, you can move mountains, and we moved mountains … through the four medical missions and Berakhah House. We knew we couldn't do this alone, and the Lord sent people to work alongside us. We had healing hands, not equipment. Our legacy continues today as each of the medical missions is still running, overseen by other religious congregations native to the country, medical professionals and the indigenous staff we trained to fulfill medical department needs. Berakhah House now provides shelter for veterans experiencing homelessness in Sioux Falls."

Sister Liz is survived by her community family of Presentation Sisters, her dear friend Sister Joanna Bruno, PBVM, San Francisco, many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers: Daniel, Louis and Edwin, Jr.

Memorials may be directed to the Avera Foundation in care of the Caminando Juntos ministry.