Dominican Sister of Peace Alvina Miller, OP, (106), a native of Catherine, KS, went home to God on February 3, 2025, at the Great Bend Motherhouse, KS.
Alvina was born to Alvina Schuvie and Adam Miller in 1918. She entered the congregation in 1932 and professed her final vows in 1935. She would have celebrated her 90th Jubilee this summer.
Sr. Alvina entered the Dominican Sisters of Peace when she was 14 years old and attended the high school at the convent. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Marmount College, Salina, KS, and a Master in Elementary Education from University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN.
Sr. Alvina dedicated much of her ministry to education, teaching first through sixth grades across Kansas for 35 years. Her teaching journey also briefly took her to Colorado and Oklahoma. Reflecting on her vocation, she once said, "Teaching was not easy, but it was gratifying to watch the students learn."
After her teaching career, Sr. Alvina transitioned to serving as a librarian in Kansas schools and as a medical librarian in hospitals. She then offered pastoral services in Kansas before transitioning to the role of Motherhouse librarian in the early 2000s. She would go on to establish and maintain the Great Bend Motherhouse library, a role she held until her passing.
Sr. Pat Twohill, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, describes Sr. Alvina as inspirational, “Sr. Alvina has truly spread Christ’s Gospel through her actions. This is what we are called to do as Dominican Sisters of Peace. She has lived her vows all throughout her life and continues to do so daily as she offers prayers as part of her Prayer Ministry.”
Sister Alvina was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Arthur and Cecil, sister Amelia Miller Meis and niece Jackie Price. She is survived by sisters-in-law Gloria and Mary, niece Jenifer and nephew Jeff.
The reception of the body took place on Thursday, February 6, followed by the Vigil Service. On Friday, February 7, the Mass of Resurrection was held, with burial at Resurrection Cemetery immediately following the Mass. All services took place in the Great Bend Motherhouse Chapel.
Memorial gifts in Sister Alvina’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
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