S. Eugenia was born on November 11, 1933, to Sebastian and Frances (Young) Hartung near Holdingford, Minn. She attended the rural school District #116 in Avon. After being employed in the kitchen at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, she entered the monastery in September 1953, made first monastic profession on July 11, 1955, and perpetual profession on July 11, 1958. She celebrated her golden jubilee on July 11, 2005.

Food service was S. Eugenia’s ministry for more than 50 years. She worked at Saint Benedict’s Monastery for over 20 years, St. Joseph’s Convent in Minneapolis, King’s Retreat House in Buffalo, Minn., St. Mary’s Cathedral Convent and Cathedral High School Convent in St. Cloud. For 18 years she was employed at the College of Saint Benedict Loft, until it closed in 1995. She then assumed responsibilities for the Monastery and College Bakery until 2007. After that, she ran the Monastery Bakery only. She was known for her breads, prepared very early each morning, and knew the secrets to making that “good Bennie bread,” as well as rolls, delicious pies and cookies.

In the summer of 2006, S. Eugenia participated in a monthlong, international Benedictine renewal program in Rome and visited Eichstätt, Germany, the founding community of Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph.

S. Eugenia is survived by her Benedictine community, her only sister, Stella (Andrew) Kasper of St. Michael, Minn., and four brothers: Edwin (Adeline), Bowlus; Frank, Melrose; Victor (Eileen), St. Cloud; and Leo (Catherine), Upsala. One brother, Anthony, is deceased.