“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.”
-St. Vincent de Paul
Sister Mary Laura Huddleston, 93, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 76 years, died on January 28, 2024. She entered religious life on August 14, 1947.
Born Joan Huddleston on October 18, 1930, in Billings, Montana, she was the elder of the two daughters of Albert E. “Bert” and Margaret (née Lambrecht) Huddleston.
Sister Mary Laura contracted polio at the age of three and as a result, spent many summers at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings. She attended first and second grades from the hospital school. She credited being cared for by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth during those years as the seed for her vocation.
Sister Mary Laura started her ministry as a teacher. She taught in schools in Kansas, Missouri, and Montana. She later worked in hospital records and pastoral ministry. She also served for many years as the chaplain to the American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri. She held a bachelor’s degree in medical record science from Saint Mary College (now, University of Saint Mary). She also attended Seattle University, Butte School of Mines, and Carroll College in Helena, Montana.
From 2003 until 2017, she served the Hispanic population in Kansas City, Kansas, by finding out what their needs were, reaching out to those who could give, and arranging to bless those in need, whether it was food, clothing, or kindness. She moved to Ross Hall at the SCL Leavenworth campus in 2017.
Preceding Sister Mary Laura in death were her parents and brother-in-law Fred Wennemar. Survivors include her sister Barbara, nephews and nieces Fred Wennemar, Laura (Wilbur) Harper, Dean Wennemar, Anne (Charlie) Murphy, and Greg Wennemar, and the SCL Community.
There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Due to health concerns, visitors from outside the Mother House or Ross Hall are asked to wear masks. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Click this link to view a short memorial video created in honor of the life of Sister Mary Laura: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDNi27HRCUY
