Rosalind Gefre, CSJ

Rosalind Gefre, CSJ was best known for her lavish greetings, often accompanied by a kiss on the hand, an intentional hug, and a warm smile that made you feel as if you were in the presence of a holy one. She was born Margaret Mary Gefre on November 6, 1929, to Carl and Elizabeth (Zacher), on the farmlands of Strasburg, ND, and died on June 15, 2026, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. The 8th of 13 children raised on the rural plains of North Dakota during the Great Depression, young Margaret learned early the values of resilience, responsibility and faith. After losing her father at age six, she and her siblings tended the land and livestock while walking a mile each way to attend a one-room schoolhouse. Inspired by the Sisters of Service that came each summer to teach religion, 10 year old Margaret decided she wanted to become “a sister and a saint,” and in 1948, she did just that. Sister Rosalind, her chosen name, spent her first 18 years serving as a cook at various convents and hospitals. She then worked as a nurse’s aide at Bethany Convent in St. Paul, which prompted her to study at Regina Memorial Hospital in Hastings, MN, where she earned an Associate Degree as an LPN (1968). Sister Rosalind began her nursing career at St. John Hospital in Fargo, ND but shortly after was called home to care for her dying mother. It was then, as she witnessed her mother’s relief during a massage, that she discovered the power of healing touch, setting her on a path that would guide her for the rest of her life. After training, she began working at Fargo’s Family YMCA (1974-80). Once back in the Twin Cities, she was determined to continue offering massage, and in 1983, she opened her first massage center in St. Paul. But it wasn’t easy. Amidst the prevailing stigma of that time, she worked tirelessly with city leaders and law makers to bring credibility and legitimacy to therapeutic massage. Her persistence paid off and soon she would be promoting the healing art of massage therapy at clinics all across Minnesota and North Dakota. As founder, she introduced a teaching component where students received exceptional instruction with a dedicated focus on spirituality. Sister Rosalind was nationally recognized as a pioneer in the art of therapeutic massage. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recognized her as one of the Twin Cities’ leading women in business, and in 2005 and 2008 she received St. Paul’s “Woman Changemaker” Award. She was a household name in the Twin Cities, due in part to offering chair massage to the Saint Paul Saints and their fans for over 25 years. Through it all, Sister Rosalind remained grateful and deeply faithful to God for the call to be a Sister of St. Joseph and the call to be a minister of healing touch.

Sister Rosalind is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Catherine, Maggie, Caroline, Mary and Bernice; her brothers Adam, John, Peter, Markus and Lawrence. She is survived by her sisters Angeline and Rose, dear friends, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Lumen Christi Catholic Community in St. Paul, MN, with burial following at Resurrection

Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN. Memorials preferred to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St Paul. Mass will be Livestreamed at https://lumenchristicc.online.church

Dear Sister Rosalind, rest in love and peace.