Auleen Eberhardt 1899-1995

EBERHARDT, BORDEAUX

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 1/20/2019 at 18:37:12

The Telegraph-Herald, September 15, 2008

Catholicism took root in Dubuque before Auleen Eberhardt was born on June 25, 1899. Ninety years later, her living faith, which manifested itself in her work as a journalist, writer and community activist, was recognized when the Dubuque City Council designated June 25, 1989 as Auleen Eberhardt Day.

Eberhardt’s career as a journalist began as the first lay employee of the Witness, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, she also worked for the Dubuque Times Journal and became the local correspondent for the Des Moines Register, a relationship that lasted more than 60 years. When she died on Jan. 12, 1995, the Register marked her death with a full story on Friday, Jan. 13, 1995.

“For more than 60 years, Auleen Eberhardt gathered and reported news from the Dubuque area for The Des Moines Register. She arranged for her last article to be faxed to the newspaper Thursday. It was her obituary,” the Register article began.

Eberhardt wrote hundreds of short stories and article for Catholic publications, her series for children “Little Stories of the Saints” gained her national recognition. She also wrote a novel “Aunt Minnie” and two 36 week serials for “The Ava Maria.” In the forward of her booklet, “Small Prayers for Small Children,” she describes her motivation for writing it.

“One of the most important duties as Mothers is to teach their children to pray,” Eberhardt wrote. “This collection of prayers is written especially for Mothers, so they may teach their little ones to know and love God.”

Her civic activities took many forms. She organized the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1932. Founded the Catholic Mothers Study Club in 1941 and was Governor of the Iowa Chapter of the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae. She served as Chairwoman of the March of Dimes, co-chair of the Women’s Division of the United Way, and for two years as president of the Women’s Club. For 12 years, she chaired the Fine Arts Festival and White Picket Fence Art Show. She served on Boards of the Heart Association, Tuberculosis Association, Easter Seal and the Tri-State Society of the Blind.

In 1972, she was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pinifice (for church and Pope) Medal, one of the most prestigious awards for lay people. She also received the Midwest Catholic Mother of the Year, award from Cardinal Stritch, of Chicago, and the Golden Medal and Documents in 1972 from Archbishop James J. Byrne.

(DUBUQUE TERAQUASQUICENTENNIAL: “People, Places and Events Shaping Our City’s First 175 Years; Volume 1)