Sister Julitta “Julia” Knapke, P.H.J.C.

Sister Julitta “Julia” Knapke, PHJC, died in the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, at 12:02 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007. Next month she would have been 94-years-old.

Born in Cranberry Prairie, Ohio, on Jan. 7, 1914, Sister Julia was the daughter of William and Rose Hemmeigarn Knapke.

She entered the convent on June 26, 1937, and professed her first vows on June 25, 1939.

She earned her Masters of Education and taught throughout her life in Illinois and Indiana. A 7th grade teacher at St. Henry, Chicago: St. Boniface, Edwardsville: and St Joseph, St. Bavo, and St. Monica schools in Mishawaka, were a few of her callings.

She was principal and teacher at St. Mary’s in East Chicago, Ind., and St. Mary’s in Mt. Carmel, Ill. From 1986 to 1991 she was on the Marriage Tribunals in Belleville, Ill., and from 1991 to 1993, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Sister Julia retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 1993.

She is survived by a brother, Bill Knapke and his wife, Esther, St. Henry, Ohio, and by three sisters-in-law: Lucille Hess, Kettering, Ohio: Norma Knapke and Eileen Knapke, St. Henry, Ohio. Several nieces and nephews survive as well.

Visitation for Sister Julia will be at the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson, Ind., on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Catherine Kasper Chapel on Wednesday, Dec.5, 2007, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Father Edward Konerman, S.J. will officiate.