September 27, 1942 – January 14, 2026
Sister Virginia Kampwerth PHJC, (formerly Sister Alberta) age 83, passed away January 14, 2026 at Catherine’s Cottage, Donaldson, Indiana. Parents, Al and Dorothy and older sister, Marabeth, welcomed Virginia to the Kampwerth family on September 27, 1942 in Breese, Illinois. Later, two more siblings, Alan and Kathleen joined the Kampwerth family. Sister Virginia is survived in death by her sister, Marabeth Petermeyer. Sister Virginia entered the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Community on August 22, 1960 and professed her first vows on August 6, 1963.
Sister Virginia’s academic education included Ancilla College in Donaldson, IN, Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI majoring in German and Latin. She studied in Munich, Germany receiving her Master’s Degree in German from Purdue University in Lafayette, IN. She ministered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond, IN, St. Monica School in Mishawaka, IN, Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, IN, and Mater Dei High School in Breese, IL.
In 1983 she studied for her Doctorate in Philosophy at St. Louis University. After receiving her Doctorate, she then became Academic Vice President of Ancilla College in Donaldson, IN and then President of Ancilla College from 1983-1993. In 1993 following a one-year sabbatical, she became the Assistant Principal at Mater Dei High School in Breese, IL from 1994-2005.
In 2005 she was elected to Provincial Leadership as Vicaress for the Poor Handmaid Community. She served until 2013. In 2023 she celebrated 60 years as a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ. Sister Virginia, a lifelong educator, officially retired in 2018.
Sr. Virginia Wrote: “Besides my professional work as a Catholic school educator and administrator, the spirituality of being a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ has developed through my annual retreats and my academic sabbatical to become a Spiritual Director, completing the program for Spiritual Direction through the Jesuits at St. Louis University. My love for the German language and my ability to do simultaneous translation have afforded me the opportunity to serve as translator in Germany for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus and the Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis. Serving on hospital boards and the board of Rehabilitation Marshall County, Indiana and Clinton County, Illinois, have been ways for me to help continue bringing the healing and teaching ministry to people in various areas. My continual growth as an individual and as a member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ is in response to the daily call, I hear within me to be ‘One in the Spirit’.”
VISITATION, WAKE SERVICE, MASS OF RESURRECTION
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Ancilla Domini Chapel, Donaldson, Indiana
8:30 a.m. EST – Welcoming Sister’s Body, Followed by Visitation
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. EST – Wake Service
10:30 a.m. EST – Mass of Resurrection
The Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at poorhandmaids.org/live. Memorial contributions may be made at poorhandmaids.org.
