The Rev. Raphael Stovik

The Rev. Raphael Stovik, 91, of the Assumption Abbey, Richardton, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at the Richardton Memorial Hospital.

Raphael's Mass of Christian burial will is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at the Assumption Abbey Church, Richardton.

Burial is in the Assumption Abbey Cemetery.

A vigil service is at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Assumption Abbey Church.

Raymond Thomas Stovik was born in Curlew, Wash., on Aug. 15, 1916, to Charles and Mary (Braun) Stovik. Raymond was from a family of 10 boys and a girl.

He was 19 years old when the family moved back to their native Wahpeton. Four of the Stovik boys became priests, and three of those were also monks.

Raphael was the last of these four to die.

He was in the U.S. Army from 1941 to 1945. After several years stateside, he was transferred to the European theatre, where he participated in some of the most crucial and fiercest battles of the war, including the Battle of the Bulge.

Often during his later years, on Dec. 6, he would say, "Today it began," namely, the Battle of the Bulge.

After he left the army he went to college at St. John's University, Collegeville, Minn. In 1951, he joined Assumption Abbey and made his vows on July 11, 1952. He was ordained on May 20. 1956.

After a brief assignment as pastor in Fallon, he began summer school at the University of North Dakota and taught at the Abbey schools. He was most noted for his typing class.

In August 1960 he received his Master of Arts in commercial studies.

From 1968 to 1981, Raphael worked in Montana. Initially he was a hospital chaplain in Billings and later in Miles City. In 1979, he became associate pastor of Holy Rosary Church, Billings.

He returned to the Abbey in 1981. The following year he was back in pastoral work as pastor of Selfridge/Solen. In 1984, he became pastor of New Hradec and part-time chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital, Dickinson.

On June 30, 1995, he retired as pastor but continued as hospital chaplain commuting from the Abbey.

On a blizzardy winter day in January 1997, while on his way to a pastoral weekend assignment, he suffered a minor stroke. He recovered some, but by Sept. 1, 1997, he found it necessary to retire completely.

Raphael enjoyed his retirement at the Abbey. His friendly and social nature and upbeat spirit made him easily loved by all. The effects of the stroke gradually worsened and on the fateful day of Sept. 11, 2001, he moved to the Richardton Health Center. While there his health decreased very gradually until he died.

He is survived by his brother, Hubert, Denver; his sister Mary Ann Beltramini, Santa Rosa, Calif.; and his monastic community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and eight brothers.

Each of our monks will offer three Holy Masses for the repose of his soul. Each member of the congregation is requested to offer the customary suffrages.

Sign the online guest book, and share memories of Raphael at www.spangelofuneralhome.com .

(Spangelo Funeral Home, Hebron)