Sister Celine Kobe

SISTER CELINE KOBE 02/15/1921 - 09/12/2025 LEAVENWORTH, KAN. - Sister Celine Kobe, 104, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 85 years, died on Friday, September 12, 2025. Born Catherine Mary on February 15, 1921, in Kansas City, Kan., to Peter and Mary (née Mikulic) Kobe, she was one of 12 children, growing up in a blended yet close-knit family. She grew up in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood, in Kansas City. Her father and mother instilled in their children pride in their deep Croation and Slovenian roots, their Catholic faith, and their close church community. She often spoke of her love for Strawberry Hill and the joy of being surrounded by family, neighbors, culture, and the traditions that shaped her life. She attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and Bishop Ward High School, graduating in 1940. Inspired by the example of the Sisters who taught her, she decided to pursue her vocation with Sisters of Charity and entered the Community on June 24, 1940, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. On habit day, she took the name Sister Mary Celine and later chose to simplify her name to Sister Celine. Sister Celine earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, in 1960. At Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Topeka, she began her ministry in education immediately following her first profession of vows. Over the next three decades, she served in schools across Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Montana. In 1976, Sister Celine returned to the Mother House, where she coordinated arts and crafts and served in clerical roles, later assisting in the Community Secretary's Office until 1998. In June 2017, she moved to Ross Hall, continuing to volunteer before fully entering the ministry of prayer and presence. Her family remembers her for her kindness and gentle spirit. She treasured their visits and returned their affection with gratitude and love, a bond that remained important throughout her lifetime. Sister Celine was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Frank, Albert, Bob, Carl, and Peter; and sisters, Theresa Smith, Frances Kobe, Mary Bondi, Doris Braman, and Ann Kobe. She is survived by many nieces and nephews, extended family, and her SCL Community. A vigil was held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Ross Chapel of Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in Ross Chapel with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., also in Ross Chapel. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048. For a more detailed obituary, visit: https://www.scls.org/sister-celine-kobe/.