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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.
P.O. Box 1; 9601 Union Road
Donaldson, IN 46513
(574) 936-9936
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