Sister Mary Ellenita Uhlrich

Sister Uhlrich died Saturday, March 13, 2004, in Ross Hall at the Mother House.

She was born Rose Loretta Uhlrich on April 26, 1914, in McLouth, the daughter of Francis J. and Mary Lena Boillat Uhlrich. She graduated from Centennial School District 76 in Springdale.

Sister Uhlrich entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 8, 1933, and made her profession of vows on March 10, 1935. She was missioned in Kansas to Saint Mary College Dining Room in Leavenworth, Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Cathedral of St. Peter in Kansas City, Holy Name High School in Topeka and Bishop Ward High School Convent in Kansas City; in Missouri to Bishop Hogan School Convent; and in Colorado to Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver. In 1970 she was missioned to Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth and served as the assistant supervisor and supervisor of the hospital storeroom. She became a patient visitor for the hospital in 1982.

Until her health declined, she met weekly with My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Group to make sleeping bags for people who were homeless. Since 1994 she had been a home health volunteer in pastoral ministry at St. John Hospital, visiting people who were sick and homebound. She retired to the Mother House in August 2001 and served part-time as a volunteer in pastoral ministry at the hospital. She was a historian and kept records of her own family roots as well as families who lived in the Leavenworth, Springdale and McLouth area and for the Sisters of Charity.

Survivors include nieces, nephews, friends and cousins in the Sisters of Charity community.

A vigil will be at 7 p.m. today in Ross Chapel, where friends may call after 4 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S. Fourth St., Leavenworth 66048.

R. L. Leintz Funeral Home in Leavenworth is in charge of arrangements.