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Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
Sister Mary Julitta Doerhoff, 94, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 73 years, died on March 16, 2023, at Ross Hall, Leavenworth, Kansas. She entered religious life on Aug. 18, 1949.
Sister Mary Julitta, baptized as Mary Margaret Doerhoff, was the eldest of 10 children. She grew up on the family farm near St. Elizabeth, Missouri. Her parents Herman and Emma (Huhmann) Doerhoff raised their children surrounded by prayer and a love for the Mass. When she was in second grade, she told her mother that she wanted to become a Sister when she grew up. Her mother supported her and told her that was the best thing she could be.
As the eldest of a large family, Sister Mary Julitta helped her mother take care of her younger siblings along with the household and farm chores. She wrote in her autobiography that for her, leaving home to enter the novitiate was a very sad goodbye to her siblings.
Sister Mary Julitta, in addition to being a Sister, wanted to be an educator, and even taught classes to seventh and eighth grade students during her senior year of high school. She taught in schools in Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. She served as principal at St. Pius X School in Billings, Montana; Immaculate Conception School, Leavenworth, Kansas; and Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Topeka, Kansas. While at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, she received an award from the El Hispano Institute for her efforts in bridging the gap between Hispanic and Anglo cultures in Topeka. Sister Mary Julitta held a master’s degree in education administration.
Preceding Sister Mary Julitta in death were her parents; brother Bernard and his wife Mary; brother Alfred and his wife Mary Ann; sister Dolores; and brother-in-law Robert Weidinger. Survivors include her sisters Rosana Weidinger; Loretta Weiler (Jerry); Dorothy Rupp (Bernie); Julitta Langle (John); Evelyn Van Goethem (John); Carolyn Stolberg (Steve); brother-in-law O’Dean Stover; numerous nieces and nephews; and the SCL Community.
There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 30. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Sister Mary Julitta was n only was important person in my life. Not only
was she my School Principal she was a dear and special friend. She cared
about students and their families. Sister was so wise in many ways. She
gave me pieces of her wisdom from time to time. God bless you dear
Sister. You are so dear to my heart.
I was Sister Mary Julitta‘s secretary for 11 years at Our Lady Of Guadalupe. Very memorable times. She was a very caring, compassionate principal, making sure everyone had shoes, coats, clothes what ever they needed, she taught me many lessons about the gift of sharing time and talents. I will miss my birthday Easter Christmas updates from her. She left me with a promise of love and and an exchange of prayers. Until we meet again!
I always enjoyed the sparkle in her eyes and her endless wit and lovely smile!
She will be missed and she is one of the reasons I went to Saint Mary College
Sr. Julitta was principal to my 2 older daughters. She was a great principal and friend and after retiring to the mother house never forgot us at Our Lady of Guadalupe. I became the secretary of the school in 2021 and found myself asking for her wisdom. The one thing I have never forgotten is “never say no to any donations of any kind to the school, if you can’t use it you will find someone who can.”
Our youngest daughter went to USM and Sister was so delighted to have her on campus, frequently having lunch together and always giving her a chocolate bar. May she rest in peace.
Sister was principal at Immaculate Conception grade school when I was in the 4th grade. She was a loving principal but she also was stern when she needed to be. I saw Sister many times after she moved to the Mother house. She was always so happy to see me and always asked about my siblings. Rest in peace Sister.