Ida Van Hoomissen, SNJM

Sister Ida Van Hoomissen grew up in Portland, Oregon, with her parents William and Wilhelmina (Plasker) Van Hoomissen and her older sisters, Adela, Rose and Dona. She attended St. Ignatius Grade School in SE Portland where her family home occupied a corner lot adjacent to the playground of the school. When the Van Hoomissen family moved from the house, the lot was happily absorbed into the school playground for the rapidly expanding school.

After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy in 1953, Ida attended Marylhurst College for a year before entering the Holy Names’ novitiate in 1954. Becoming a novice in February 1955, she received the Holy Habit and the religious name, Sister Stella Marie. She pronounced first vows in 1956, professing final vows in 1961. Ida was preceded into the Sisters of the Holy Names by her sister, Dona (Sister Berniece Marie).

A pianist and singer, Ida’s first ministry as a Holy Names Sister was as music teacher. After 10 years in music, she made the transition to classroom teacher, teaching middle grades. Later Ida pursued a third path, pastoral ministry. During this time she became the director of religious education in two Portland parishes, Ascension and St. Ignatius.

In 1993 Sister Ida accepted the position as Director of Pastoral Education at Mount Angel (Oregon) Seminary working for six years with the seminarians on their pastoral ministry placements.

For her next assignment Sister Ida looked to the Far North where she accepted a position in Ketchikan, Alaska, as pastoral associate at Holy Name Parish. She particularly loved her time in Ketchikan, enjoying the unique challenges and rewards that this ministry in Alaska offered.

On returning to Portland, she sought volunteer activities. She served as a hospitality minister at the Downtown Chapel, working people from the street who needed food and shelter during the day. She also made herself available as a driver for the Sisters when needed and visited the sick and infirm at Mary’s Woods retirement community.

Once asked for a favorite quote from the Bible, Sister Ida responded: “God loves a cheerful giver,” 2 Cor. 9:7. That has been a hallmark of Sister Ida’s ministry throughout the years always greeting people with a welcoming smile and helping hand.

Sister Ida now resides at Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst in Lake Oswego, Oregon.