Sister Jeanne Koehler PHJC
Sister Jeanne (Rita) Koehler, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, died peacefully on Jan. 22, at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson.
Sister Jeanne loved life and dancing. As a young girl she dreamed of becoming a world-famous dancer. Throughout her childhood, she appeared on stage tapping her way into the hearts of the many audiences she entertained. In later life she said, “I see so clearly how I’m still dancing for God. A dancer not on a worldly stage, but a spiritual one.”
Sister Jeanne was born in Chicago, on Dec. 31, 1917, to Edward and Anna (Putz) Koehler who preceded her in death along with her siblings Joseph, Carol, Frances (Michalzuk), Edward, Charles, and Dorothy (O’Malley). Her sister Marlene (Mickie) Meyer survives along with her sisters-in-law Florence and Bernice and brother-in-law Emil Meyer. Sister Jeanne counted many friends in her extended family.
On Sept. 2, 1935, she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation in Donaldson, and professed her first vows on June 25, 1938. This year she was celebrating 80 years as a Poor Handmaid. On Dec. 30, 2017, Sister Jeanne celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at the Catherine Kasper Home.
Sister Jeanne began her teaching career at St. Monica School in Mishawaka in 1938. She continued teaching at St. Boniface, Edwardsville, Illinois; St. Joseph, Mishawaka; St. Catherine of Siena, Hammond; Mater Dei High School, Breese, Illinois; Angel Guardian Orphanage, Chicago; Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne; and finished her teaching career at Ancilla College, Donaldson, as an instructor and coordinator of campus ministry in 2000. During her career, she opened three new schools and remarked, “I love challenges and I had them.”
For her 60-year jubilee, Sister Jeanne said, “For 60 years I have been a teacher and I still love it. From a first-grade teacher to a college professor, I feel I have been an enthusiastic instrument of God’s love and caring.”
Sister Jeanne received her B.A. in history from Alverno College and her M.A. in library science from Rosary College. In 1980, she received her degree in pastoral studies. From 1980-1982 she ministered at St. Joseph Parish in Mishawaka as a pastoral minister and then as a pastoral associate at St. Peter in Winamac from 1982-1989. In 1989, Sister Jeanne returned to the Motherhouse as a program assistant at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. In addition, she was a spiritual director.
Sister Jeanne officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2012.
Visitation was held at the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 4:30-8. A prayer service was held that same evening at 7 p.m. The Mass of resurrection was celebrated at the Catherine Kasper Home on Friday, Jan. 26, at 11:15 a.m. Burial followed in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, Indiana 46513.
Online condolences may be sent at www.johnson-danielson.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Jan. 31, 2018)