In Memory

Let us constantly pray for our own salvation and that of all the dear Sisters, indeed, for all people, that we may live and die piously and attain the beautiful heaven.
St. Katharina to Sister Fausta, December 21, 1892
Many people ask where a Sister is buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery so while they are visiting The Center at Donaldson, they can pay their respects. Click here for an alphabetical listing of Sisters and where they are buried. A map of the cemetery explains blocks/rows/plots.

September 17, 2008
On September 17, Quincy Associate Marie Kuhn passed away in St. Vincent’s Home where she had been a resident for a number of years. She was 96 years old.
Marie was the organist at St. John the Baptist parish for 45 years, retiring in 2000. She also was a graduate of St. John Grade School in her youth, and was a life-long member of the parish. In her adulthood she was a member of St. John’s Leisure Club and St.Vincent’s Home Auxiliary.
Marie is survived by her daughters Marjorie Steinkamp, Janet Allison, Barbara St. Marie; her sister-in-law, Sister Florence Kuhn, PHJC; two brothers; 15 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Marie made her First Commitment to the Associate Community in 1993, and was recognized in 2008 on her 15th anniversary. The Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy, IL on October 1, 2008.
May she rest in peace.

September 7, 2008
On September 7, East Three Associate Frances Dettmer passed away. She was a resident of Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, IN. Frances was born in 1918.
Frances is survived by her daughter Sister Mary Ann Dettmer, PHJC; two other daughters, Theresa Yanke and Pauline Snyder; and two sons Robert Dettmer and Jerry Dettmer . She also is survived by nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren, two sisters, two brothers and several nieces and nephews.
Frances became an Associate in 2002 while a resident of Maria Center, Donaldson. In 2007 she was recognized on her fifth anniversary as a member of the Associate Community.
A Mass of Christian burial was held for Frances at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in LaPorte, IN on September 12, 2007.
May she rest in peace.

September 1, 2008
On September 1, 2008, East One Associate Mary Belisle passed away following a lengthy illness. She was born in 1922. Mary is survived by her husband, Rene (Joe) of 59 years. She also is survived by her daughter Judith Tritten and son James Belisle, two grandchildren, and her sister, Sister Mary Conrad Kirchhoff, PHJC. She also has one brother and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was one of the original Associates in the Associate Community. Her First Commitment was in 1983, the year of the Associates’ foundation. She was recognized for her 25th anniversary as an Associate at the Spiritual Family of Catherine weekend in July, 2008 at Donaldson, IN.
Mary is remembered for her gifts in music and art. She taught piano and organ lessons and was the organist and school secretary at St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish, Taylor, Michigan, and also organist for the VA hospital in Allen Park, Michigan. In addition to her music ministries, she also taught cake decorating, and made many lovely wedding and birthday cakes for her family and friends. She had been a leader in Camp Fire Girls and Cub Scouts.
A Funeral Mass for Mary was held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Wyoming, Michigan on September 5, 2008.
May she rest in peace.

August 18, 1926 - August 13, 2008
Sister Laura Banet, PHJC passed away on August 13, 2008 at home in Marian Convent, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born Marjorie Banet to Henry and Marie (Henry) Banet on August 18, 1926 in Fort Wayne. She entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ community and professed her first vows on June 26, 1948.
Sister Laura ministered in education from 1947 to 1985 at various schools in Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois. In 1988 she became a chaplain at St. Joseph Medical Center in Fort Wayne and served in different capacities at the hospital as well as a tutor for the Literacy Alliance and the Senior Guild at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Sister Laura loved butterflies and spent several years tagging and studying monarch butterflies.
May she rest in peace!
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513.

July 20, 2008
Claudia Klich passed away on July 20, 2008, following a lengthy illness. She is survived by her husband, Jerry, their 5 children and 8 grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister, Sister Mary Josef Shingler, PHJC. Claudia was 66 years old.
Claudia was active in Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Valparaiso, Indiana. She belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society and taught religious education classes. Along with her service to her parish, she was an active volunteer in her local school systems.
Claudia made her first commitment to the Associate Community on July 19, 2003 in Our Lady of Sorrows Church. On July 19, 2008, she was recognized for her fifth anniversary as an Associate during a special weekend gathering of the Spiritual Family of Catherine Kasper in Donaldson, Indiana. Although she was unable to be there for the celebration, she was present in the hearts and prayers of all those who were there.
Claudia’s Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish on July 24, and she was laid to rest at Heritage Cemetery in Portage, Indiana.
May Claudia rest in peace.
June 6, 2008
Bertha Fredericks passed away on June 6, 2008, in her home. She was 86 years old. She is survived by 3 sons, 2 daughters, 21 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. Bertha’s husband of 61 years passed away in 2004.
Services for Bertha were held on June 10 at Bocken Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Hammond, Indiana. She was laid to rest at St. John Cemetery in Hammond.
Bertha and Louis were charter members of St. Catherine of Siena Church where Bertha was also a charter member and past president of St. Catherine’s Altar and Rosary Sodality. She also was active in the Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary.
Bertha made her First Commitment to the Associate Community on June 12, 1990. She was recognized in 2005 for her fifteenth anniversary as an Associate.
May Bertha rest in peace.