Sister Elizabeth Determan, ASC of El Reno, Oklahoma died February 6, 2020 at the Wichita (Kansas) Center. She was 98 and had been an Adorer of the Blood of Christ for 78 years.
She was born November 19, 1921 to Herman and Anna (Schaefer) Determan, the oldest of six children. Her family came to the area shortly after the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889.
She had been taught by Adorers in Okarche, Oklahoma and entered the community in August 1939. She made first vows on August 10, 1941, and final vows on August 11, 1946.
Sister Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas, and a master’s degree in education in 1964 from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
She taught elementary school in several Kansas towns, helped open St. Mary’s High School in David City, Nebraska, and taught elementary school in Carlsbad, N.M. She was director of postulants and novices for two years.
She left the Adorers in 1967 to join a contemplative community, the Society of Our Mother of Peace in Oklahoma City, where she stayed until 1975. But she missed the Adorers’ Precious Blood spirituality and returned to them.
She took on hospital visitation, prison and parish ministries, including service at the former Holy Rosary parish in St. Louis.
She was instrumental in developing the Adorers’ Associate program, and served in province leadership from 1982 to 1990.
In 2001, she retired at the Wichita Center.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers John and Charles, and her sisters Rosemary Teague and Anna Mae Determan. She is survived by her brother Thomas (Jane), nieces and nephews, and her ASC community.
She is buried in the community cemetery.