Sr. Dolorosa Essling

Sister Dolorosa Essling, CSJ, died peacefully on July 23, 2012, at the age of 98 in Camilla Hall, the infirmary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton, Indiana. She was surrounded by the Sisters who loved her so in life, and by the wonderful staff who accompanied her on this, her final journey. Sister Dolorosa was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers – Lawrence, Vincent, and Quentin Essling. She is survived by many devoted nieces and nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews and the Congregation of St. Joseph.

Born in LaPorte, Indiana, October 20, 1913, Loraine Loretta was the only girl of four children born to Sophia (Shoenberger) and Michael Essling. She was baptized in St. Joseph Catholic Church in LaPorte, and lived in that city until 1929 when she came to Tipton to attend St. Joseph Academy as a postulant in the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton. When she received the religious habit, Loraine was given the name Sister Dolorosa. She professed final vows as a Sister of St. Joseph on July 2, 1935.

Sister Dolorosa earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Economics from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas, and a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Education and Business Administration from Indiana State University in Terre Haute. She also earned a Certificate in Religious Education from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

A gifted and much-loved teacher and principal, Sister Dolorosa’s lifelong ministry was spent in the education of young and old alike, serving in various parochial schools throughout Indiana, including Tipton, Winamac, Kokomo, South Bend, Marion, and Terre Haute. In her role as teacher and/or principal at St. Joseph Academy in Tipton and Bennett High School in Marion, she was greatly admired and appreciated by both students and parents. In addition to her years spent in education, including Religious Education, Sister Dolorosa performed the duties of Secretary of her religious congregation for several years, and for two years served as a Personnel Assistant for St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon.

Sister Dolorosa’s years of formal teaching prepared her well for her retirement years. For the past two decades, she has been counselor, mentor, friend and spiritual example for her community of sisters, her family, those who lived as residents at St. Joseph Center and all who called her friend. Her gifts of listening deeply, offering encouragement, wise counsel, and faithful prayer were treasured gifts. She leaves to all of us a legacy of faith, patience, understanding, abiding hope and loving presence. May she now rest in God’s eternal peace.

Visitation for Sister Dolorosa Essling will be at St. Joseph Center in Tipton on Thursday, July 26, beginning at 4:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service of Remembrance at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held at 10:00 on Friday, July 27, preceding the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m.; Father Keith Hosey, presider. Burial will be in the Cemetery of the Sisters of St. Joseph following the Mass. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.