Sister Catherine Sophia Hellmann

Sister Catherine Sophia Hellmann, CS J died peacefully at the age of 88 on Sunday, September 27, 2009 in Camilla Hall at St. Joseph Center in Tipton, Indiana following a long illness.  Kathryn Lucille Marie was one of fifteen children born to Philomina Bockhold Hellmann and John Henry Hellmann in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 25, 1921.  Baptized and confirmed at St. Benedict Catholic Church, her family was dedicated to the land and to the church and remained in Terre Haute until 1937 when their father was invited by Mother Gerard through a contact in Indianapolis to come to Tipton to care for the farm which belonged to the Sisters. 

Sister Catherine was preceded in death by her parents as well as six brothers - John, Louis, Linus, Francis, Jerome, Patrick and one sister - Rosemary Howell.  She is survived by siblings Helen Lustig of Aurora, CO; Ray Hellmann of Orlando, FL; Gilbert (Ella) Hellmann of Kokomo, IN; Leo (Joan) Hellmann of Avon, IN; Henrietta (Murl) Day and Mary Joan (Paul) Koors of Tipton, IN; Patty (Maurice) Parr of Lafayette, IN and sister-in-laws  Dorothy Hellmann of Tipton, IN and Regina Hellman of Alexandria, IN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

A graduate of St. Joseph Academy in Tipton, Kathryn entered the Sisters of St. Joseph as a Postulant on December 27, 1941.  She received the habit on July 2 of that same year along with the name, Sister Mary Clement.  She later returned to the use of her name, Catherine, preferring the spelling found on her birth certificate and she added a middle name, Sophia.  First vows were professed on July 2, 1944 and perpetual  vows on July 2, 1947. 

She began a long career in health care at Mercy Hospital in Elwood, Indiana after graduating from Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Kokomo, Indiana in 1946.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mount St. Joseph College in Cincinnati in 1966 and a Masters  Degree in  Health Care Administration from St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1968.  A Masters Degree in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco in San Francisco, California was also completed in 1991.

She left Mercy Hospital in 1948 to serve as  Nursing Supervisor at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon.  From 1951 to 1964 she was missioned as Nursing Supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo, Indiana.   Sister Catherine returned to Bend, Oregon in 1969, where she became President and CEO of St. Charles Medical Center.  Surrounded by the majesty of evergreens, rivers and snow-capped mountains Sister Catherine began to form her vision for St. Charles Medical Center which was one of patient and family centered compassionate care provided by dedicated team oriented physicians and associates. 

Sister Catherine’s plan for the hospital was transferred to others  and came alive like healing water.  Her coworkers were willing to walk with her on the journey that would lead St. Charles Medical Center into the 21^st Century and receive the coveted Norman Cousins Award for Excellence.  The Bend, Oregon  community honored Sister Catherine by naming her Woman of the Year in 1975, recognizing her dedication and commitment to their community.  St. Charles Medical Center continues the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph, always meeting the needs of the dear neighbor.

Sister Catherine retired and returned to Tipton in 2000.  While at St. Joseph Center, she loved to talk with visitors and was thrilled to recall her time in Oregon.  Her family spent hours in her company and were grateful for the faithful and inspiring life she lived.  Although she only returned to visit St. Charles Medical Center one time after retirement, members of the Administration came to visit her and one dear friend has sent flowers for St. Joseph Chapel in Tipton four times each year.  Sister Catherine leaves a legacy of accomplishment and an example of a life’s vision fulfilled. May she now rest in Christ’s eternal peace forever.

Arrangements  include welcoming of the body to St. Joseph Center on Friday, October 2 at 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Vigil at 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 3 at 12:00 p.m.  followed by burial in the Cemetery on the grounds of St. Joseph Center.  Presiders at the Mass will include Sr. Catherine’s nephews – Fr. David Hellmann, Fr. Wayne Hellmann and Friar Martin Day.  Fr. Keith Hosey will be the homilist.