In Memory of Sister Mary Jeanine Kuhn
July 1, 1937 – March 23, 2024
Sister Mary Jeanine Kuhn, PBVM, 86, daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Sullivan), was born Margaret Lee Kuhn on July 1, 1937, in Osage, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation from Osage, Iowa, on September 8, 1956, and professed her perpetual vows on August 22, 1964.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clarke College (now Clarke University) in Dubuque, Iowa, and a Master of Arts from both Loras College in Dubuque and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Sister Jeanine served as an elementary teacher and principal in Catholic schools in Dubuque (St. Columbkille) and Farley, both in Iowa, and in St. Paul, Minnesota; in congregational leadership as president and councilor; in congregational formation ministry; as a pastoral minister in Charles City, Iowa; as administrator, spiritual and retreat director at American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls, Iowa; and at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, guiding students on their spiritual journey. She celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2016 and retired to Mount Loretto in 2017. Sister Jeanine enjoyed playing the piano, singing, playing cards and Scrabble, softball, basketball, horseback riding, hiking, driving, working with flowers, and providing environment in church. She valued prayer and community service. Sister Jeanine reflected, “I am so grateful to all who supported me along the way with their love, joy and friendship. God gifted me with a call to follow in faith and has given me many blessings to serve in a variety of ministries.”
Surviving are her sisters, Kathryn Peterman and Betty (Ronald) Lovejoy, sisters-in-law, Kathye Kuhn and Cathy (Jim) Berry, nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 67 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Phyllis and husband Lincoln Drake, Joan and husband Frank Guest and her brothers, Rev. Richard Kuhn, Robert (Kathye) and James (Cathy).
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.