Cemetery featured in THE OBLATE newsletter
02.01.2012
Text only, below, or view the article with photos, here: userfiles/Cemetery article from The Oblate Winter 2012.pdf
Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery: A Sacred Place for that “Some Day”
by Josie Stang
Over the years requests for burial space in the Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery prompted the abbey to measure the extent of interest among alums, oblates, family members and friends. The 2002 survey indicated strong interest, inspiring the expansion of an alumni/ae and friends section to the cemetery. Architects and surveyors created the foundation for the new space overlooking Lake Sagatagan; landscaping was completed in 2007; and the blessing of the newly-expanded Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery was conducted in spring of 2008. Since then, more than 375 individuals have purchased future burial or cremation spaces adjacent to the Saint John’s monastery and parish cemetery sections.
It was about ten years ago when Oblate Jim Tembrock first heard about the potential for an expanded Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery that would serve alumni/ae, oblates and friends of Saint John’s. Jim received a survey sent out by Abbot John Klassen, and although it wasn’t something Jim was looking for at the time, Saint John’s has always been a place that feels very much like home to him. His response was yes, he would consider Saint John’s as a possible option for a cemetery space for himself “some day.”
Jim grew up in the small town of Ogema, Minnesota, and attended Saint John’s Prep and University thanks to the great impression Saint John’s had made on Jim’s dad, Ray, when he was a student here in the 1930’s. Jim and his siblings Joe, Bill, and Paul all came to Saint John’s for high school and/or college. Today, along with their sister Marilyn, all are Oblates of Saint Benedict. As a matter of fact, this year marks Jim’s 50th year as an oblate!
Following Jim’s graduation from SJU in 1966, he attended Saint John’s School of Theology and joined Saint John’s Abbey. One of his first assignments as a “brother” at Saint John’s was as a teller in the cashier’s office. After writing a pro-life letter that ended up in the hands of Father Paul Marx, OSB, the founder of Human Life International, Jim was pulled from his teller’s position and assigned as Father Paul’s assistant. Pro-life work was especially meaningful to Jim, and still is today.
Eventually, Jim left the monastery, went back to school, and completed a degree in nursing. In 1981, he married his long-time friend and love Donna Goblirsch.
Donna grew up in southwestern Minnesota and attended the College of Saint Benedict. She was also interested in pro-life issues and met Jim on a bus trip to a pro-life rally.
Throughout their 30 years of marriage, Donna was the caretaker of their home and of their extended family, while Jim cared for his nursing patients. Eventually Jim would be called on to use his nursing skills to provide extra-special care for Donna. These past ten years she suffered from debilitating illness.
The illness was another of the reasons the Tembrocks made an advance — or pre-need — purchase of cemetery space at Saint John’s. Although they believed and hoped that they would have many years together, they also realized the truth of Saint Benedict’s exhortation in chapter 4 of the Rule to “keep death daily before one’s eyes.”
After hearing more about the cemetery at an oblate retreat, Jim felt it was time to make additional inquiries. Theirs would be a case of knowing the “where” of their cemetery purchase, but not the “when.” Making advance need plans would ensure the remaining spouse would have less of an emotional burden. The Tembrocks purchased their specific lots at Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery in 2009.
Donna’s struggles with her illness ended in July of 2011.
Trips to Saint John’s for Jim now include visits to Donna’s gravesite. Grieving takes time, and for Jim and for many others as well, Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery is a place where family members can come to pay their respects and pray. Reflecting on the location, Jim says it provides him with a continued connection to Donna and Saint John’s feels even more “like home.”
Saint John’s alumni/ae, parents of alums, oblates, friends, faculty, staff, and relatives of Saint John’s monks are included in the circle of those who may purchase cemetery lots and cremation spaces at Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery.
Learn more about Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery:
www.saintjohnsabbeycemetery.org
Josie Stang, Cemetery Manager
320-363-3434, info@saintjohnsabbeycemetery.org