Who knew? For the first 18 years of her life, Sister Dennis Frandrup was known to her family as “Blanche.” When her birth certificate was reviewed at the time of her entrance into the Benedictine community, her first name was discovered to be Olivia, with Blanche recorded as her middle name.

Olivia Blanche Frandrup was born on July 12, 1932, on a farm near Hampton, Minn., the eighth of 11 children born to Frank and Bertha (Freiermuth) Frandrup. She grew up working on the family farm with her father and brothers and attended the Catholic elementary school in Hampton, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame — except for grades one and three when she attended the local district school. About her family experience, she once remarked: “There were lots of siblings older than me, and when that happens the older ones tend to give you orders, but I had ways of getting around that!” This comment may account for the lifelong mischievous twinkle in her eyes and the happy jokester aspects of her personality.

S. Dennis learned about the Benedictine sisters in St. Joseph, Minn., through her parish priest in Hampton and family members already in the community, including her cousin, Sister Marjory Freiermuth, and her older sister, Sister Shirley Frandrup. Blanche followed suit and entered the novitiate as Sister Dennis. She made her final profession in 1954, the same year her younger sister Cleo, then Sister Benet Frandrup, celebrated her first profession as a Benedictine sister.

After S. Dennis finished high school at Saint Benedict’s High School, she was missioned to study education at the Diocesan Teachers’ College in St. Paul, Minn. She then received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Benedict (CSB) in history, with minors in psychology and philosophy. Although teaching was not her preferred work, S. Dennis served as a teacher and principal for 17 years in diocesan schools.

In 1970, S. Dennis was missioned to study art, beginning what would become her life’s work and cherished dream. After studying both at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wis., and Sienna Heights University in Adrian, Mich., she earned master’s degree from Sienna Heights University. She joined the CSB faculty in 1973, where she taught art for more than 35 years. She also chaired the art department for a time. Known as a gifted artist and beloved teacher, she not only taught technique but values as well: “Pottery is a form of worship” she believed and taught. A former student summed up her impact as an artist and teacher in the following words: She was “an inspiring teacher, talented artist, a faithful Benedictine and a true friend.” Upon her retirement in 2005, S. Dennis became a CSB “Artist in Residence” where she continued her art for a number of years.

As a renowned artist locally and beyond, S. Dennis’s work as a ceramicist, potter and sculptor has been widely exhibited and admired, notably in “A Ceramic Celebration” (2013) at the Benedicta Arts Center at CSB and “By the Work of Her Hands” (2022) at the Haehn Museum at Saint Benedict’s Monastery.

Deeply rooted in Benedictine spirituality, S. Dennis cites the Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist as central to her Benedictine monastic life. “Consecration of Virgins” in 1973 was a peak experience in her life of faith. It was a “re-dedication for me,” she humbly claimed. Thank you, S. Dennis, for your faithful witness, creative spirit and lasting influence among us!

Jubilee profile written by Ephrem Hollermann, OSB