Fr. Eugene Hornstein 1918-2004

Brother Mark Edwin Carmer, O.S.B., died on March 21, 2004 in his room at Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND. He was sitting in his favorite chair watching television and quietly and peacefully passed away–in other words he died as he had lived since he was a quiet, gentle man of deep faith in God and goodness to others. He had been strengthened by the Sacraments of the Dying.

Edwin Carmer was born April 5, 1910, in Minneapolis, MN, to David and Catherine (Cady) Carmer. At a young age the family moved to Kidder County, North Dakota, to farm and so for the first 45 years of his nearly 94 years Edwin was a farmer in the Tappen area. He was a gentle, pious man who worked and prayed hard. These traits were noticed by his Pastor in Tappen who saw in him a calling to religious life. Thus in the mid-1950s, after his father had died and his sister, Helen, had moved to Minnesota, he came to Assumption Abbey in February, 1956, to become a monk. He professed vows as a Benedictine monk on September 8, 1957, receiving the name of Brother Mark.

Brother Mark, coming from a farm background, was accustomed to hard work coupled with a vital prayer life–as such he was a perfect Benedictine monk. One of the mottos of the Benedictines is “Ora et Labora,” (Pray and work). Mark was a strong man adept at many things and so in the monastery his talents were put to use on its farm and in its various shops and in maintenance. For many years he managed the abbey’s car fleet, keeping its vehicles in good running order. Even after he retired and his health was failing he could be seen out shoveling snow after a storm or out hoeing the garden and pulling weeds in the hot summer heat.

Although he was a quiet man he loved to engage in conversation, especially relating to his life and experiences. He had profound insights into whatever was happening around him and as such was a good contemplative. He suffered a loss of hearing in his later years and so was not able to communicate as well, but he always maintained a good sense of humor and respect for others.

In his final years, as his health continued to fail, he needed considerable care –care that was extended by his brothers in the monastery. Brother Elias Thienpont and Brother Nicholas Erickson provided him with loving and personal care for many years so that his final days were as full and pleasant as possible.

Brother Mark was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Helen Carmer Quigley. He is survived by his monastic brothers at the Abbey in Richardton and several nieces and nephews. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., March 24, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., March 25, both in the Abbey Church in Richardton. Interment will be made in the Abbey cemetery.

Each monk of our monastery will offer three Masses for the repose of his soul and each monk of the Congregation is requested to offer the customary suffrages.