The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth mourn the loss of Sister Michel Pantenburg, 89, who died on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth, KS.
Kathleen Jeannette Pantenburg was born on October 6, 1926, in Denver, CO, one of five children of Arthur Robert and Alice McKenna Pantenburg. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and McCook Senior High School, McCook, NE. She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on August 14, 1945, and, as Sister Michel, made her profession of vows on August 15, 1947. Sister received a BS in Nursing Education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, KS and a MSNA from Catholic University, Washington, D.C.
Sister spent much of her life in the healthcare ministry, where she was always drawn to manifest God’s healing love. She began her nursing career at Providence Hospital, Kansas City, KS, and moved on to other hospitals, serving many years as President and CEO in both St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Junction, CO and St. Vincent Hospital, Billings, MT. Sister had a special concern for the poor and medically uninsured and was tireless in her creativity and philanthropic work in establishing programs to benefit those most vulnerable in society.
Sister Michel held many offices including; President of Montana Hospital Association, Secretary of the National Catholic Hospital Association, a delegate to the American Hospital Association, and Director of the Providence School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS. The World Health Organization awarded her a five-week travel fellowship in Sweden to study their healthcare delivery system. Among countless awards, she was recognized as “Woman of the Year” by the Business Professional Women of Billings and was honored for her work in the care of children suffering from severe burns. She also paved the way for Michel’s House in Billings, MT, a residential setting for drug-addicted women with dependent children. She was the Director of the Focus on Leadership Program at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, and later traveled to Indonesia and New Zealand to give retreats. Sister returned to Pastoral Care at St. Mary’s Hospital, Grand Junction, CO. She enjoyed exploring ways to help people come to wholeness in body, mind and spirit. Both staff and patients knew her gift of massage and the healing power of her touch. She retired to the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity in 2014.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four sisters. Survivors include nieces, nephews, friends and her SCL Community.
A vigil was held at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2016. Interment followed in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds. Davis Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S 4th ST, Leavenworth, KS 66048.
Please help us continue
