Sister Agatha Niebrugge (Zita Therese), PHJC passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana.    

Sister Agatha was born in Effingham, Illinois to Anthony and Anna (Aulenbrock) Niebrugge who preceded her in death along with her siblings Paul, Lawrence (Dorothy), Alphonse, Martha Muehlenfeld (Joe), Johanna Spracklin (Bernard), Ambrose (Dorothy), Father Herman, Dolores Bede (Stockman), Mary Ann, Anna Marie, Father Richard, and Bernard. Her brother Tony Niebrugge survives along with sister-in-laws Barbara, Dolores and Margaret Niebrugge.  Sister Agatha noted in her biography, “Needless to say, Father and Mother had sufficient opportunities to practice parenting.”

Sister Agatha entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on September 2, 1946. She professed her first vows on June 25, 1949. Sister Agatha graduated from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Loyola University in Chicago. In addition, she pursued Art Training from the Washington School of Art.

Sister’s teaching career spanned 55 years. She taught at St. Monica School in Mishawaka, Indiana (1949-1953), St. John Orphanage in Belleville, Illinois (1953-1958), St. Augustine High School, Chicago (1959-1976), Mater Dei High School in Breese, Illinois (1976-1987) from there she received the Distinguished Educator of the Year Award. In 1987 she moved on to Ancilla College in Donaldson becoming a Professor of Sociology (1987-2005). The Ancilla College Board of Trustees awarded Sister Agatha the Trustee Emeritus Status. Sister Agatha once said of teaching, “Teaching has been an excellent vehicle for bringing Christ to the world. Hopefully the ‘ripples’ outward continue from the values and truths imparted to the students thus enabling them to face their challenges and hopes.”

Sister Agatha officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2013. She continued her humble quiet ministry of listening as she reached out to many of the Catherine Kasper Home residents.  

Visitation will be held at the Ancilla Domini Chapel on Sunday, October 8, 2017 beginning at 4:30 p.m. EDT. Evensong Service will be held the same evening 7:00 p.m. EDT 

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Ancilla Domini Chapel on Monday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT

Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana. 

Contributions may be made in Sister Agatha’s memory to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.

Sister Josephine Iffert, PHJC formerly known as Sister Concetta, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at St. Joseph Health in Plymouth, Indiana.

Sister Josephine was born on September 15, 1925 in Noble, Illinois to Kilian and Rosa (Kuenstler) Iffert who preceded her in death along with her siblings Ann Uebinger, Fr. Urban Iffert, CPPS, Katie Kuhl, Pauline Kessler, Sally Rudolphi, Bertha Dunnigan, and Leo Iffert.

Sister Josephine shared her personal desire when she said, “My hope is that I grow old gracefully and that I might be able to participate in community activities that give life to us all.”  Those who knew her, know that Sister Josephine excelled in achieving this goal through her warm hospitality, a listening ear and a compassionate heart.

She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on September 8, 1943 and professed her first vows on June 24, 1946. 

Sister Josephine studied at Ancilla College in Donaldson, Indiana as well as Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois, where she received her B.S. and M.A. in Education.

Sister Josephine spent 28 years of loving service as teacher and principal in elementary schools at St. Augustine School in Hecker, Illinois; Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago, Illinois; St. John School in Belleville, Illinois; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond, Indiana.  After completing six years as a Provincial Team Member in the PHJC Community and the Corporate Ministry Program in St. Louis, Missouri, her ministry took a turn.  Sister Josephine served as a Pastoral Associate in Davenport, Iowa and as a staff member of a Personal Growth Center in Cicero, Illinois. She also ministered to people with AIDS through Harbor Home and was Director of an RCIA program in Berwyn, Illinois.  Later, she received much joy interacting with the people who came for services at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, where she ministered as Sister Hostess for thirteen years.

Sister Josephine then shared her gentle spirit and welcoming presence as part of a supportive community of Sisters at Catherine’s Cottage and throughout the entire Center at Donaldson.  She was actively engaged in life until two days before her death.

Sister Josephine proudly stayed a farm girl her whole life. She said, “Nature always brought great joy to me from childhood to my elder years.  I delighted in gardening, and loved to see things grow, especially my relationship with God.”  Truly it was in nature, in her family and through the many people who touched her life that Sister Josephine found God.   

Visitation will be held at the Catherine Kasper Home on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 8:00 p.m. (EST).  A Prayer Service will be held the same evening at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Ancilla Domini Chapel on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (EST).  Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.

Contributions may be made in Sister Josephine’s memory to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.

Sister Wilma Boeving, (Dolores Ruth) PHJC passed away on March 26, 2017 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana, just minutes after the Feast of the Annunciation.

The Feast of the Annunciation is a special Feast Day for the Poor Handmaids. Luke 1:26-38 tells of Gabriel's visit with the message that Mary will conceive and give birth to Jesus. Mary replies, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

Like Mary, Sister Wilma replied “yes” to being a Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. She entered the PHJC Community as a postulant on September 2, 1946 and professed her first vows on June 25, 1949. 

Sister Wilma was born on December 1, 1926 in St. Louis Missouri to William and Bertha (Tonnies) Boeving who preceded her in death along with her brothers, Cornelius and Wilbert and her sisters, Bernadine Ronnerman and Sister Bertram Boeving, PHJC. 

Sister Wilma studied Liberal Arts at Ancilla College, Donaldson, received a bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition from Mundelein College, Chicago, and her Masters in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University. 

While attending college, Sister Wilma volunteered with the senior girls of Angel Guardian Orphanage in 1950. Her studies prepared her to be Dietary Director at St. Joseph Hospital Fort Wayne, Indiana and St. Mary Hospital in East St. Louis, Illinois. After returning to school for her Masters in Hospital Administration, she became Assistant Administrator at St. Mary Medical Center in Gary and Hobart, Indiana and Vice President at Ancilla Systems Health Service in Des Plaines and Elk Grove Illinois. Her career in health care ministry spanned 32 years and included service on various hospital and diocesan boards.

Sister Wilma also was a member of the Motherhouse Property Study in 1983 which led to the major renovation of the PHJC Motherhouse and creation of new ministries.  In addition, she served as a Pastoral Associate at St. John the Baptist Church in Quincy, Illinois, as Development Director for the Poor Handmaids, Administrator for Hincke/Sense Home in Belleville, Illinois and as Activity Director/Human Resource/Sacristan at Meredith Home in Belleville.  Sister Wilma volunteered at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville and Maria Care Center in Red Bud, Illinois until she retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2000. 

In regard to the many people whose lives she touched, she said, “I believe I was always enriched by those with whom I associated during my lifetime.  It takes a lifetime to extend my gratitude.  I pray that I did not lose the opportunity to show each person my gratitude to God for their important place in my life.”

Visitation will be held at the Catherine Kasper Home on Thursday, March 30, 2017 beginning at 4:30 p.m. (EDT) A Prayer Service will be held the same evening 7:00 p.m. 

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on Friday, March 31, 2017 at 11:15 a.m. (EDT) Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana. 

Memorial contributions in memory of Sister Wilma may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson.

Sister Marjaleen Kelley (Kathleen Kelley) PHJC died on March 9, 2017 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana. 

“If I could, I would,” was Sister Marjaleen’s motto. “I can’t just be a nun – I must be a GOOD nun and a GOOD teacher.” Choosing to be a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ enabled her to give the love of Christ to many students during her 60 years as a teacher. “I was able to reach children in a way that taught both of us how to be closest to God.”  

Sister Marjaleen ministered as teacher and organist in Chicago and Belleville, Illinois; Gary and Lake Station, Indiana. She served as an elementary school principal in Fort Wayne, Hammond, and Gary, Indiana.  From 2005 to 2011 she served  as a hostess/volunteer at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Indiana.  Sister Marjaleen officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2011. 

Sister Marjaleen was born in Gary, Indiana on September 27, 1927 to James and Margaret (Mock) Kelley who preceded her in death with siblings James Kelley, Mary Isabelle Glenn, Margaret Lawrence, John Kelley, Dorothy Krasne, Evelyn Kelley, Eleanore Radigan, and Robert Kelley. 

Sister Marjaleen attended St. Mark Grade School and Lew Wallace High School in Gary. On September 8, 1945 she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation in Donaldson, Indiana and professed her first vows on June 26, 1948. Sister received her Bachelor of Education degree from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and her Masters of Education from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  

Sister Marjaleen is survived by many nieces and nephews including Margo Ludwig, Sister Kathleen Kelley, PHJC and her close friend Sister Celine Tomasic, PHJC. 

Visitation will be held at the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center at Donaldson in Donaldson, Indiana on Sunday, March 12, 2017 beginning at 4:30 p.m.  A Prayer Service will be held that same evening at 7:00 p.m. EDT. 

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center at Donaldson in Donaldson, Indiana on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. EDT 

Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson. 

Memorial contributions in memory of Sister Marjaleen may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.

Sister Richilde Dettmer, (Pauline) PHJC passed away on January 22, 2017 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana.

Sister Richilde was born on March 23, 1919 in Hartington, Nebraska to George and Theresa (Frigge) Dettmer who preceded her in death along with her step-mother, Rosa (Alfes) and seven brothers: Father Aloysius, Ted, Clement, Edmund, John, Leonard and Father Alfred.

Leaving Nebraska, the family moved to Donaldson, Indiana where her father and brother found work with the Poor Handmaid Sisters. She started work at the hospital in LaPorte, Indiana, which was owned by the Poor Handmaids. The Sisters at the hospital impressed her with their simple living and prayerful life so much so, that she decided to join the congregation.

She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on December 23, 1937 and professed her first vows on June 25, 1940. 

Sister Richilde studied Liberal Arts at Ancilla College, Donaldson and Chicago City Junior College; Nursing at St. Francis College, Joliet, Illinois; and Sociology at Loyola University, Chicago.

Her desire to travel and experience new cultures led her to volunteer to care for Cambodian refugees in Thailand in the 1970s. She stated in her 2015 jubilee reflection, “My experience in Thailand opened my eyes to a greater awareness of poverty in the world and my need to support those who work there with my prayers.”

Sister Richilde’s 42 years of loving care as a nurse took her to many ministries. She began her nursing career in 1943 at St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She also ministered at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Chicago; St. Joseph Hospital, Ashland, Wisconsin; St. Mary Home, Carlyle, Illinois; St. Vincent Villa, Fort Wayne; St. Vincent Home, Quincy, Illinois; St. Mary Hospital, East St. Louis, Illinois; Carlyle Shelticenter, Carlyle, Illinois; Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson; Meredith Memorial Home, Belleville, Illinois; and Beacon House, Burlington, Iowa.  For several years she provided nursing care to the migrant workers near Plymouth, Indiana and in San Juan, Texas. She retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 1998. 

Visitation will be held at the Catherine Kasper Home on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 beginning at 4:00 p.m. (EST) A Wake Service will be held the same evening at 4:30 p.m. EST. 

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 11:15 a.m. (EST) Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson.

Sister Magdalen Hellmann (Lorraine) PHJC passed away on June 17, 2016 at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, Indiana, after a life spent appreciating and nurturing the lives of children and all growing things entrusted to her care.

Sister Magdalen was born in Aviston, Illinois to Henry and Elizabeth (Ottensmeier) Hellmann who preceded her in death along with her brothers Joseph, Cletus and Stephen and her sisters Genevieve Hellmann and Bernadine Kussatz. Her sister Rita Heimann survives along with many nieces and nephews. Sister Magdalen credited her father and life on the family farm for introducing her to the miracle of birth and growth in both nature and humankind. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on December 8, 1948, professed her first vows on June 25, 1951, and celebrated 65 years as a Poor Handmaid Sister this year.

Sister Magdalen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois in 1960. From 1951 until 1976 Sister ministered as a childcare worker in Chicago (Angel Guardian Children’s Home) and in Belleville, Illinois (St. John’s Children Home). From 1976-1990 she ministered in management at Ancilla Domini Convent in Donaldson, Indiana. From 1990 until 2003 she served as a Sacristan at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame University. After retiring from Notre Dame and working with college students she returned to working with the younger set…caring for babies at Nazareth Home in East Chicago, Indiana. Following her 11 years at Nazareth Home Sister Magdalen “officially” retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in November 2014.

All who knew Sister Magdalen appreciated her gentle sense of humor, her caring ways, her skills with handicrafts, gardening, and quilting. As she appreciated the miracle of growth of the tiny seed into its full potential with God’s help, those who knew her found in her a nurturing, caring, special friend.

Visitation will be held at the Catherine Kasper Home on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 beginning at 4:30 p.m. (EST) A Prayer Service will be held the same evening 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 11:15 a.m. (EST) Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson.