DAVENPORT — Sister Claudellen Pentecost, CHM, 91, died Aug. 12 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.
Lois A. Pentecost was born Feb. 13, 1932 in Lewistown, Montana to Claude and Ida Ellen (Crowley) Pentecost. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1954 and professed vows in 1957 as Sister Mary Claudellen. She studied education at Ottumwa Heights College-Ottumwa and at Marycrest College-Davenport where she earned her BA in elementary education.
Sister Pentecost began teaching in 1957 at St. Anthony Elementary School-Des Moines. Then she served at St. Mary-Centerville. Afterwards, she served more than 20 years at schools in Montana including Sacred Heart School-Glendive, St. Joseph, St. Mary and St. Gerard-Great Falls and St. Leo-Lewistown where she also served as principal. Next, she taught at St. Austin in Minneapolis. Other positions included school bus driver and supervisor of the wood shop and sewing areas of Easter Seal Adult Center in Great Falls.
In 1983, she moved to Davenport and served as center coordinator for the Humility of Mary Center.
She returned to Great Falls to work as a bus driver and then for Columbus Hospital-Benefis West as a central services technician. In 2015, she retired to the Humility of Mary Center and served in a ministry of prayer and witness.
A self-described tomboy, Sister is remembered for her love of sports (particularly softball and boxing), playing the guitar, hunting, fireworks and making jelly and wine from chokecherries she gathered by the bushel. In Davenport, she was part of a group that worked through the night on Christmas Eve, decorating the center to exacting and delightful standards. All who knew her will miss her enthusiasm and laughter, the CHM community said.
Her funeral was held Aug. 17 at the Humility of Mary Center. Interment will be in Lewistown. Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
