Sister Barbara Kober (formerly Sister Georgeann) PHJC died on Monday, September 7, 2015 at 12:12 p.m. in the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson, IN.
Sister Barbara is survived by her nieces Dawn and Darlene, many cousins and friends. Sister Barbara was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 26, 1936 to George and Ann Kober who preceded her in death, along with her brother Donald. She attended St. Augustine Grade School and attended one year of high school in Chicago, IL completing her high school education at Ancilla High School. On August 5, 1954 she entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Congregation in Donaldson, Indiana and professed her first vows on July 16, 1957. Sister received her Bachelor of Education degree at Alverno College in Wisconsin and her Masters degree in Religious Education at Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies in Chicago Illinois. Sister served in ministry for 36 years in various parishes in the Chicago IL, Gary IN, Fort Wayne- South Bend IN and Springfield, IL dioceses. In 1994 she moved to the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Mexico mission in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz and there she taught English as a second language and directed a soup kitchen for three years. Having suffered a serious ankle injury in Mexico she returned to the Motherhouse in Donaldson and continued to minister in the ESL program at the Plymouth Public Library and also at Heart and Hands in Plymouth. In her autobiography Sister commented that throughout her ministry she experienced God’s unconditional love and it was her Community and family who encouraged her to grow beyond her many expectations. She felt blessed a thousand fold with love and care. Sister Barbara officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2008.
Visitation will be held at the Catherine Kasper Home on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 4:30-8:00 pm EDT. A Prayer Service will be held 7:00 p.m. EDT Funeral Liturgy will be held in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel on Thursday September 10, 2015 at 11:15 a.m. EDT with Fr. John Zemelko officiating.
Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson, IN.