Marianne Kahnke, CSJ
January 24, 1916 ~ November 19, 2008
In the early evening of November 19, there was an unusual stream of radiant glory arching across the darkening sky. It seemed as if the setting sun was signaling to our Bethany community that something special was about to happen. At 8:45 p.m., that evening Sister Marianne Kahnke, who had lived, loved, and served our Bethany sisters for more than 20 years, was called to her everlasting home. It was fitting that the event was marked with a bit of cosmic splendor.
Marian Margaret, the oldest daughter of Mary Lynch and Vincent Joseph Kahnke, was born on January 24, 1916, on a farm near Waseca, Minnesota. As the responsible older sister, Marian took loving care of her three younger brothers and three younger sisters. In reflecting on her early family life, she attributed her religious vocation to the deep faith of her parents and to her grandfather’s bookshelves where she found inspiration and information about religious life.
Marian first learned about the Sisters of St. Joseph from Mother Callista whom she met at St. Luke’s Convent on the day she inquired about entering the community. Not long after that encounter, on February 3, 1936, Marian entered the postulate in St. Paul. On the feast of the Assumption in August, 1936, she received the habit and was given her religious name, Sister Marianne. Marianne pronounced her first vows on August 15, 1938, and her final vows on August 15, 1941. It was no coincidence that she, who was twice named in honor of Mary, the Mother of God, would celebrate life’s important events on the feast of the Assumption, the day on which the whole Church celebrates Mary’s entry into heavenly glory.
With her first mission to St. Vincent School in St. Paul, Marianne initiated her teaching ministry for the next 34 years in our Catholic elementary schools. As a kind and conscientious educator, she brought her personal gifts and professional expertise to hundreds of young students within the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis and the Diocese of New Ulm. In the summertime, Marianne also taught religion classes in Vesta, Hugo, and Tracy, Minnesota, and in Inverness, Montana.
Marianne was graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, the Diocesan Teachers College, and the College of St. Catherine, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history. To deepen her understanding of transitions in religious life and to prepare her for her role as a local superior, she studied theology at the College of St. Catherine, attended the Institute of Spirituality at Notre Dame University, participated in workshops on gerontology and mental health at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota, and took refresher courses in Sacred Scripture at the College of St. Catherine.
Within the St. Paul Province, Marianne was a charter member of the Car Board (now known as the Automobile Review Board). She also served for years as director of volunteers and as assistant administrator at Bethany. Throughout the community, she was well known as a gifted cook and meticulous seamstress. In 1972, she generously piloted an experimental pre-retirement program at Ascension Convent. From 1981-1988, she volunteered for community service at Nativity Convent, a ministry which included cooking, sewing, and general household tasks. It is no wonder that today there is a very special lower corridor room at Bethany named “The Kahnke Room,” wherein the sisters can freely choose lovely clothes—FREE!
During her last months at Bethany, Marianne struggled with failing health. She died as she had lived—peacefully on November 19.
Marianne is survived by sisters, Margaret Miller and Therese Nord (Robert); brothers Vince (Irene) and Dave (Evelyn); many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and the Sisters of St. Joseph and Consociates.
