Sister Dorothy Ann Chevalier

Sister Dorothy Ann Chevalier, CHM, 90, died October 9, 2026, at Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston, Iowa. Services will take place at Our Lady of Peace Chapel at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 23, at 11 a.m. with Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. before the Mass. Inurnment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Newton, Iowa. There will also be services held at Humility of Mary Center in Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday, November 11, at 11:30 a.m.

Dorothy Ann Chevalier was born July 16, 1936, in Newton, Iowa, to Herschel Ray and Monica Elizabeth (Craig) Chevalier. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1955 and in 1958 professed vows as Sister Mary St. Monica.

Sister Dorothy studied Elementary Education at Ottumwa Heights College beginning in 1955, eventually completing her bachelor’s degree in 1968. She later earned a Master of Science in Education degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1974. She continued her studies as needed throughout her life, completing an interpreter training program at St. Paul Technical College in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1992, a certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines in 1998, and certification as a chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains at the Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in 2004. Sister also studied Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska in Omaha and Liturgical Music at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Her 38-year career as an elementary school teacher and principal ran from 1958 to 1996, working at fourteen different schools in six states. In Iowa, she served in Fort Madison, Davenport, Centerville, Dunlap, Albia, Urbandale, Missouri Valley, Burlington, and Ames. She also served in Minneapolis and Hampton, Minnesota; Glendive and Red Lodge, Montana; Spring, Texas; and Omaha, Nebraska. After retiring from education, she served as a medical chaplain at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, and as a PRN Chaplain in Des Moines. In 2008, she retired from medical work to serve as a Minister of Prayer and Witness in Des Moines.

Sister Dorothy served the CHM community on the Spirit and Goals Committee and the Ministry and Education Committee. In 1989, she traveled with a pilgrimage group to France in honor of the community’s 125th jubilee.

In her leisure time, Sister enjoyed music, particularly playing the guitar, sports, travel, and reading. When asked what she cherished most about her life as a CHM, she said she valued being in a community of vibrant risk-taking women, and that the care the community gave each member’s special talents was her greatest reason for celebration.

Sister Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents and brothers John, James and Fr. Martin Chevalier. She is survived by brother Steven Chevalier and sister Jane (John) Sehman and the Sisters and Associates of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com. Arrangements by Iles Dunn’s Chapel, Des Moines, Iowa.