One of 12 children, three of whom became members of St. Benedict's Abbey, and three who became Sisters at Mount Saint Scholastica.


Atchison Daily Globe, Nov. 14, 1974

Sister Placida Nordhus
(August 20, 1894 - January 11, 1974)

Rites Monday for Sister Placida Nordhus, 79, who passed away here on January 11, 1974 at Mount St. Scholastica convent Friday evening.

She had been confined to the convent infirmary for about two months, having had lung surgery in November.

Born at St. Benedict, KS, near Seneca, KS in August 20, 1894, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Rottinghaus Nordhus, both immigrants from Germany.

Born Joanna, she entered Mount St. Scholastica convent in 1913. She professed religious vows as a Benedictine sister in 1914.

During the 1940's, she made notable contributions in the field of education among the Spanish speaking people of southern Colorado. Through her leadership in Capulin, Colo., (1939-50), religious instruction was expanded, the public elementary school was moved from an adobe garage and other inadequate quarters into a modern, well-equipped school; a public high school was opened and basic education as well as business courses, music, drama, and athletics were brought to the people of this small town in the San Luis Valley.

Sister Placida taught most recently in the Catholic elementary school system of Atchison, 1966-71, and since her retirement in 1971 had engaged in tutoring and volunteer service. She spent four years teaching in the parochial schools of Kansas City, and taught briefly in Missouri and Nebraska.

She is survived by one sister; Sister Ildephonse Nordhus of the Mount convent and three brothers; Henry and Leo, both of Seneca, and Rev. Cyprian Nordhus of St. Benedict's Abbey, presently serving at St. Benedict's, Kansas City, Kans.

A brother and a sister, long time members of the Atchison Benedictine communities, preceded her in death in recent years; Sister Celestine, who died in 1969, and Father Clement, 1971.

The Mass of Resurrection will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, in St. Scholastica Chapel. A vigil service is set for Sunday evening at 7, also in the chapel. The Harouff-Arensberg Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.