Sr. Katherine Hoelscher, S.C.

Sister of Charity of Cincinnati Katherine “Katie” Hoelscher died Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at the age of 87 in Mother Margaret Hall on the Mount St. Joseph campus. She was a Sister of Charity for 69 years. 

Sister Katie was born Dec. 20, 1938, in Cincinnati to Eugene and Katherine (Weingartner) Hoelscher. She had one brother. She attended St. William School and graduated from Seton High School in 1957. Inspired by the Sisters who taught her and by her mother’s example as a dedicated teacher, she entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 8, 1957.

Sister Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1961. In 1969, she earned a Master of Arts in the teaching of mathematics and a Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Detroit in Michigan. In 1983, she earned both a Master of Science in education and a Master of Education from the University of Dayton in Ohio. She pursued pastoral studies at Loyola University in New Orleans in 1987 and earned a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1988.

Sister Katie’s more than 50 years in ministry began in 1961, when she taught mathematics at Holy Name High School in Cleveland, Ohio. She remained there until 1968, when she became assistant principal at Marion Catholic High School in Marion, Ohio. She returned to Holy Name in 1971 and, the following year, joined the faculty at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. She would serve the school community for 35 years in a variety of roles.

From 1973-’74, Sister Katie served as principal of St. Joseph Commercial High School, a two-year program in downtown Dayton that the Sisters of Charity had decided to close because of declining enrollment. She gave her best effort to ensure the young women completing their education there experienced care and concern during this transition.

Sister Katie returned to Archbishop Alter in 1974 to teach mathematics and became assistant principal in 1976, serving until 1981. During those five years, she helped foster a caring atmosphere grounded in faith and a shared commitment to the school’s mission. She then served as principal from 1981 to 1986. Reflecting on her years at Alter, Sister Katie said, “I grew up at Alter. I was truly blessed to be involved with such a loving community. There is a family spirit that comes from a dedicated faculty and faithful parents.”

In 1986, Sister Katie took time away from her ministry to participate in a renewal program at Sangre de Cristo in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, she met women and men from around the world and was enriched by their diverse experiences. The relationships she formed led to later visits to Australia and New Zealand as a guest of four fellow participants. The experience gave her time to reassess her life and consider new opportunities, serving as a gateway to years of leadership within the Sisters of Charity congregation.

From 1987 to 1989, Sister Katie returned to the classroom, teaching mathematics at Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio, before being elected to the Eastern Network leadership team. From 1989 to 1999, she served in congregational leadership as a network leader, a member of the Governing Board and a member of the Executive Council. Reflecting on those years, she said, “I gained new insights and grew in appreciation of our Sisters and their experiences.”

During this time, Sister Katie worked with Sister Dolores Maureen McDonald on renovations to the Motherhouse’s East Wing. In 1998, she also chaired the initial work of the Chapel Improvement Steering Committee, gathering input from Community members. The project resulted in air conditioning and improvements to the Motherhouse Chapel worship space. In 2000, Archbishop Alter High School invited Sister Katie to return as director of alumni relations. She accepted and later served as interim principal from 2005 to 2007. 

At the time of her Golden Jubilee, Sister Katie reflected on her years at Alter with gratitude, saying, “I have been lovingly supported by parents, students, alumni and administration in my years at Alter High School. What is great about being in one place for so long is that I was able to see the ‘kids of kids’ that I taught, and they all taught me about patience and commitment. I have dedicated my life to educating myself and our students in ways of faith, pride and spirit.”

After retiring from active ministry, Sister Katie continued to serve on the boards of Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, as well as Seton High School and The Women’s Connection in Cincinnati. A dedicated member of her religious community, she remained actively involved and continued to contribute to community life.

In her middle years, Sister Katie also took time to learn about aging by listening to the stories and experiences of her elder Sisters. She offered her time, love and support, along with warmth and humor, as they shared their wisdom, joys and losses. Little did she know that these experiences would prepare her to become a source of support for the Sisters who followed her. In 2014, Sister Katie became a resident of Mother Margaret Hall herself, where she lived for the next 12 years, receiving the love and ongoing support of the Sisters who shared her home until her death.

Sister Katie is survived by her brother, Bill, nieces and a nephew. Sisters, family and friends are invited to greet visitors in the back of the Motherhouse Chapel from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, with burial afterward in the Sisters of Charity cemetery.

 The funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Sisters of Charity website at www.srcharitycinti.org .

Memorials may be made in Sister Katherine Hoelscher’s name to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Retirement Fund, 5900 Delhi Road, Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051.