Obituary of SISTER KATHERINE MARIANNA BOECHLER, RNDM

SISTER KATHERINE MARIANNA BOECHLER, RNDM Sister Katherine Boechler RNDM, former resident of St. Benedict's Place, died peacefully on April 11, 2014. Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Frank F. Boechler and Katherine Selzler, and by her siblings, Frank L., Kasper, Gregory, Charles, Anton, Erwin, Sr. Magdalina OSU, Sr. Clara OSU, Sr. Regina Anne RNDM, and Annie Dukart. Katherine is survived by her brothers Wilfred (Marilyn), Alphonse (Rose), her sister Brunhilda (Jack) Sander, sister-in-law Teresa, and numerous nieces and nephews. Born August 16, 1917 in Allan SK, Katherine grew up in a large and caring family on the Saskatchewan prairies near Allan. In 1941, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM) at Sacred Heart College in Regina, SK, making her first vows in 1944. In 1948 Sr. Katherine was missioned to India, and made her perpetual vows on July 26, 1950 in Chittagong, in what was then East Pakistan. Sr. Katherine served as an educator and an administrator in the volatile situations just after the partitioning of India, the formation of East Pakistan, and the eventual creation of Bangladesh. To this day, she is greatly appreciated by the Sisters in Bangladesh as a courageous and visionary woman. Returning to Canada in 1969, Katherine attended Teachers College in Brandon, MB, and where her academic and practice teaching records were exceptional. On completion of her certification in Education, she began teaching kindergarten at St. Edward's school in Winnipeg. Katherine enjoyed teaching and loved her students. She had the capacity to evoke a sense of wonder and love of learning in her young students. Katherine retired from classroom teaching in 1987, and then extended her involvements with refugees and migrants. She had a special care for those who had been forced to flee their homelands, for those made poor, and those who struggled for basic human rights. She taught English to those who had come to Canada from other countries, and did all she could to help them feel welcome in their new country. The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions and the Boechler family are most grateful to the Sisters and staff at St. Benedict's place for the many kindnesses they extended to Katherine in the seven years she was a resident with them. They are also grateful to the staff at Concordia Hospital and Beacon Hill Lodge for their competence and kindness to Katherine in the brief time she spent in their care. The Mass of the Resurrection, will be celebrated at St. Benedict's Monastery, 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg on Tuesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Monsignor Louis McClosky as main celebrant. Wake/Prayers will precede the Eucharist from 10:15-10:45. Interment will be at Assumption cemetery in Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to make a donation to the Mission Fund of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, 310 Provencher Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R2H 0G7.