July 25, 1926 – May 9, 2026

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Ann Albrecht, CSJ, who passed away on May 9, 2026, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 99 years of age.

Sister Ann was born on July 25, 1926, in St. Louis to parents Walter Thomas and Anna A. (Au) Albrecht.  She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 15, 1945, was received as S. Thomas Borgia in 1946, and made her final profession on August 15, 1951.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Fontbonne College in 1963 and a master’s degree in library science from Rosary College (now Dominic University) in River Forest, Illinois, in 1969.

Sister Ann’s 80 years of service as a Sister of St. Joseph was dedicated to education and deaf ministry. Her first 26 years were served in Catholic schools. From 1948 to 1960, Sister Ann taught at Holy Cross Grade School in Champaign, Illinois. In the 1960s, she taught in St. Louis and in Kansas City, Missouri. She was principal and teacher at St. John the Evangelist Grade School in Valdosta, Georgia, then librarian at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City (1969-1974).

Born of deaf parents, Sister Ann long desired to serve that community. Her extensive service in deaf ministry began in 1974 when she became the first full-time deaf minister in the Kansas City area, a ministry that stretched nearly 40 years and extended far beyond diocesan/Catholic boundaries. She headed the Kansas City, Kansas, Archdiocesan Office of Ministry to the Deaf from 1974 to 2001. For the next 14 years, she continued serving that community as a volunteer.

In 2005, Sister Ann was awarded the “Person of the Year Award” by the National Catholic Office of the Deaf in recognition for the ways she encouraged those too often forgotten to use their many gifts in service of the church.

Sister Ann retired in 2015 and lived at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis where she continued to carry out her ministry of prayer and presence.

Sister Ann donated her body to science. A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Nazareth Living Center, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129. 

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899

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Richard L. Clough, 88, of Lee’s Summit, MO, went to meet his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on May 6, 2026, in the city of Lee’s Summit, MO. He was born December 12, 1937, in Kansas City, MO.

He is survived by his beloved wife Carol of 67 years and his children; Richard Jr. (Steve), William (Lisa), Liz Dietz (Kirk), Suzanne Johnson (Rodney). Grandchildren; Brian (Rozanne), Shawn, Marsha Anderson (Taylor), Ashleigh Jones (Matt), Kaitlin Togami (Jordan), Taylor Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Nicole Hong (Tommy), Adam Dietz (Aida), Kevin Clough (Haley) and Shane Stolz (Grace). Great grandchildren; Alexander, Katherine, Jayde Ward and Skyler Anderson. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and George R. Clough of Kansas City, MO.

Mass of the celebration of his life will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church on May 15, 2026, with visitation at 9:30 AM and mass at 10 AM. Interment will follow mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.

Richard was a man who loved his God, his wife and his family. He attended St. Louis Catholic Grade School, graduated from DeLaSalle Military Academy in 1954, and earned his Bachelor of Science in History, Business and Philosophy from Rockhurst University in 1958. He was a dedicated student, frequently appearing on the Dean’s List and holding leadership roles in several campus organizations.

After college, Mr. Clough built a remarkable career in sales, working his way up from salesman to regional sales manager. He went on to hold territory manager positions with Dymo Inc. and later Esselte Pendaflex Corporation, covering the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Known for his impeccable customer service and integrity, he was awarded Regional Salesman of the Year six times throughout his career. In 1995, he expanded his territory to Houston, Texas, covering Southeast Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, where his sales soared to an all-time high before he was offered early retirement in 1998.

Richard traveled to over 10 countries and was involved in many activities/groups at John Knox Village.

Mr. Clough was a lifetime Catholic and devoted servant of his faith. He served his church as usher, lector, minister of Holy Communion, and liturgy committee chairman for over 25 years. He was awarded the Bishop’s Recognition Award in 1982 for outstanding parish service. He served as the Scoutmaster for Troop 865 in Independence, MO. On January 25th, 2003, he was ordained as a Deacon by Bishop Vincent M. Rezzotto and Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston, TX, fulfilling a lifelong wish to serve in full-time ministry. He went on to serve at St. Matthias the Apostle Catholic Church in Magnolia, Texas, St. Edwards Catholic Parish in Spring, Texas, St. Terese Catholic Church in Kansas City and St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit.

In 2008, Richard and his wife Carol returned to the Kansas City area to be closer to their family, where he continued his ministry and community involvement until his retirement in September 2012. Richard truly lived a full and faith-filled life, always in service to his God, his church, and his community. Richard lived at John Knox Village.

Mass of the celebration of his life will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church on May 15, 2026, with visitation at 9:30 AM and Mass at 10 AM.  Interment will follow Mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Fr. Lloyd Opoka, a beloved and faithful servant of God, who departed this life on March 12, 2026, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Born on June 6, 1943, in Des Moines, Iowa, Fr. Lloyd was ordained a priest on May 25, 1968. He dedicated decades of his life to serving the people in the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, where his gentle demeanor, kindness, and unwavering generosity touched countless hearts.

His first assignment was to St. Therese Parish in Parkville, then to St. Mary’s Parish in Independence; Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and Visitation Parish, both of Kansas City; St Catherine’s Parish, Grandview; Holy Rosary in Clinton; Holy Family Parish In Kansas City and St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Blue Springs. He retired from St. Matthew Apostle, Kansas City in 2014.

Fr. Lloyd was known not only for his deep faith and commitment to his priestly vocation but also for the warmth and humor he brought to every interaction. His beautiful light blue eyes reflected a spirit full of life and joy. A man with a quirky and ornery sense of humor, he was quick-witted and always ready with a smile. Friends lovingly recall how he could find something hilarious in even the smallest moments, and although he believed himself to be funnier than he was, his jokes and laughter brought endless joy to those around him. Playfully called a “human garbage disposal,” Fr. Lloyd never let things go to waste—once even unknowingly eating homemade dog food from the fridge, a story remembered fondly and retold with laughter, and his description of it was “it was bland, but it wasn’t bad.”

His greatest loves extended beyond his ministry. Fr. Lloyd cherished playing racquetball, spending time at a lake or pool with friends, or as they claimed, engaging in the pool side ministry. He doted on his beloved fur babies—his cats, dogs, and a blue parakeet that brought companionship and comfort to his days. He delighted in board and card games, especially Farkle and Trivial Pursuit. With his dear friend Fr. Mike Roach, they memorized all the answers to the 80’s Version of Trivial Pursuit, which made their victories all the sweeter and their camaraderie all the stronger.

Fr. Lloyd is survived by his beloved sister, Ann Thomas, and her husband Mike; his ten nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and -nephews; and his friends. His best friends and devoted caregivers, Dodie and Patty Horgan, stood by his side with unwavering support and love for so many years. All will deeply miss him.

His journey was built on a strong family legacy. Fr. Lloyd was the cherished son of Bernard J. Opoka and Glenna (Otto) Opoka, now departed. He was also predeceased by his beloved brother, Bernard “Buddy” Opoka, Buddy’s wife, Patty and their young daughter, Tracy. His faithful four-legged companions, Inky, Cilee Girl, Phoebe, and Baby, are also happily reunited with him in Heaven.

Throughout his ministry, Fr. Lloyd’s many accomplishments reflected his tender care for people and his community. He cherished every trip to El Salvador, the hands-on work building the parish house at Holy Family Parish, and the meaningful efforts undertaken through Bishop Sullivan Center. Always ready to extend a helping hand, he embodied the very essence of going out of his way for anyone in need; a true testament to the man, friend, and faithful servant of God that he was.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM, all at Holy Family Parish, located at 919 NE 96th St, Kansas City, MO 64155. All who knew Fr. Lloyd are invited to celebrate his life, honor his legacy, and find comfort in shared memories. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Bishop Sullivan Center, 6435 Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64126.

Fr. Lloyd Opoka’s legacy is one of faith, love, laughter, and unwavering kindness. His story will forever live in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have known him—a gentle light whose smile endured beyond the simplest moments, teaching us all the beauty of a life well-lived in service, compassion, and joy.

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Father William Walter, C.PP.S., of the United States Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, died on February 6, 2026, at Mercer Health in Coldwater, OH. He was 91 years old.

Father Bill was born in Rensselaer, IN on May 20, 1934, to the late Edward and Mildred (Borntrager) Walter. He entered formation with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood on September 6, 1948, at Brunnerdale Seminary in Canton, OH, and was Professed on August 15, 1955 at St. Mary’s Novitiate in Burkettsville, OH.

He made Temporary Incorporation on September 7, 1957, at St. Charles Center in Carthagena and was Definitively Incorporated as a Missionary of the Precious Blood on August 15, 1958, also at St. Charles Seminary. Father Bill was ordained a Transitional Deacon on September 2, 1960, at Immaculate Conception Church in Celina, OH and ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1961, at St. Charles Seminary, Carthagena, OH.

After spending the summer after ordination helping with sacramental ministry at three parishes in Oklahoma, Father Walter spent a year in pastoral formation at St. Anthony Parish in Detroit. In August 1962, he was assigned assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier in St. Joseph, MO. He later moved to St. Andrew Parish in Tipton, MO, where he also served as a district vocation director. In August 1968, Father Bill moved to Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, MO, where he served for several years as an instructor and later as assistant vocation director for the Kansas City Province.

Father Bill returned to parish ministry in 1974, first as associate pastor at St. Mary’s Parish in Garden City, KS, and later as associate pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish in Linton, ND. In 1977, Father Walter was assigned as director of formation for the Precious Blood students studying at St. John’s Seminary in Collegeville, MN, and at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL. He lived at St. John’s.

On July 15, 1980, Father Bill became pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Sedalia, MO and St. John’s Parish in Bahner, MO where he served for nine years. In July 1989, he was named pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Warrensburg, MO. As pastor, Father Bill was known for his collaborative style of leadership. In a tribute to Father Bill on Facebook, Julie Connor who was the parish youth minister at the time, wrote, “The strongest collaborative leadership role model I’ve ever known was Father Bill Walter. I borrowed the leadership model Father Bill and the Sacred Heart Parish Council used in meetings to empower youth with leadership skills.” Julie recalls once telling Father Bill, “You and this parish have ruined me forever. I know what healthy collaboration looks and feels like.” She captures well what many who worked with Father Bill over the years feel in concluding her reflection. “Thank you, Father Bill, for all you taught me through your words and actions. I hope you know how many lives you’ve touched and changed,” Julie writes. “If you didn’t before, I know you do now.”

While serving as pastor in Warrensburg, Father Walter was elected Vice-Provincial of the Kansas City Province in 1995. He was re-elected in 1999 and served until 2003. It was also in 1999, that Father Bill was named pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Albia. IA. Precious Blood Companion Sharon Crall who worked with Father Bill as pastoral associate said, “He was a humble servant who recognized and supported lay ministry.”

In 2007, Father Walter returned to one of his first assignments as a priest to serve as senior priest in residence at St. Francis Xavier Parish in St. Joseph, MO. He retired in 2017 but remained at St. Francis Xavier helping with sacramental ministry and visiting the school. As one long-time parishioner of St. Francis noted, “Father Bill was a kind and gentle man, a true servant of the Lord.” The children at St. Francis Xavier School especially enjoyed Father Bill’s visits to their classrooms. Companion Nancy Clisbee said, “Father Bill was beloved, just the best, holy and so kind! He was so compassionate and always willing to help those in need.”

In the spring of 2023, Father Walter moved to retirement at St. Charles Senior Living Center in Carthagena, OH. At St. Charles and throughout his life, Fr. Bill was known for his gentle, loving smile that would make everyone he met feel at home in his presence. He is survived by two sisters, Carol Hullings of Michigan City, IN and Phyllis Crone of Cincinnati, OH, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frederick Walter.

Reception of Father Walter’s body will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Charles Center (2860 US Route 127, Celina, OH 45822) with a prayer service.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated later that day at 2:00 PM. Father Al Ebach, C.PP.S., will preside with Father Ron Will, C.PP.S., homilist. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, United States Province.

May he rest in God’s gracious peace.

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Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration Mary Laurentia Doyle, OSB died on Nov. 21 in Clyde, Missouri.

Alice Marguerite Doyle was born on July 31, 1932, in Ironwood, Michigan. She was the youngest of six children – four boys and two girls – born to Florence Elizabeth (Dickensen) and John Arthur Doyle. Her father was a mechanical and electrical engineer for a mining company. Her mother had a teaching certificate but did not work outside the home.

Alice attended the public school in Ironwood for kindergarten and first grade until 1939 when her father was transferred to Duluth, Minnesota. She was then taught by Dominican sisters at a Catholic grade school. For two years of high school, she was taught by Benedictines.

Alice remembered that the family liked music. Her mother played the piano, and she would play a little honky-tonk. Her father was a very serious man, but he liked to sing.

Alice’s father retired in 1949, and the family moved to South Bend, Indiana, when Alice was in her senior year of high school. She graduated high school in South Bend, having been taught by Holy Cross sisters.

As a child, she had intended to go to Saint Mary’s at Notre Dame because her brother had attended the University of Notre Dame. When she was in high school, one of the sisters asked her, “Have you ever thought about a religious vocation?” Alice thought about it during her senior year of high school, and it was part of her reason for wanting to go back to Duluth for college.

After graduation, she attended the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth for one semester. Following her call to religious life, she decided to leave school and enter the convent. Alice entered Saint Scholastica Monastery in Duluth in January 1951. She entered the novitiate in July of that year and received the name Laurentia, after her brother Larry.

She made her first profession of vows on July 11, 1952. She started to take additional college classes and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She was sent to replace a teaching sister who had become ill in 1953 and taught kindergarten for the remainder of that year. She made final monastic profession on July 11, 1955.

She spent most of her teaching career with first and second grade students. She taught in various schools in Duluth, as well as in International Falls, Brainerd and Minneapolis.

Her last assignment was teaching second grade in Chicago.

While Sister Laurentia was in Chicago, she became interested in transferring to the Benedictine Sisters in Clyde, Missouri, with the help and encouragement of a priest. Sister Laurentia was not unhappy with teaching, but she wanted a deeper prayer life. She spent almost two months at the congregation’s monastery in Mundelein, Illinois, before going to the Saint Louis monastery at the end of August 1976. She worked in the sacristy and maintenance. Sister Laurentia transferred her vow of stability to the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration on Oct. 9, 1978.

Sister Laurentia was assigned to the San Diego monastery in 1987 and worked in maintenance until 1993 when the monastery closed. From there, she went to Clyde and worked in the altar bread department. She also worked in housekeeping for several years, which was her favorite job. She sewed vestments and served as sacristan.

She once wrote, “I consider myself among the very fortunate in that I have been able to enjoy whatever tasks have been asked of me.”

A progressive neurological disorder caused Sister Laurentia to move to Our Lady of Rickenbach in 2017. She remained a vital member of community and graciously welcomed visitors. She wrote letters and poetry, made cards and sewed. She cherished her beloved Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football teams.

Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, OSB and a hospice nurse were with Sister Laurentia when she handed her soul over to God. She is survived by her monastic family, nieces, nephews and many friends. Her funeral liturgy will be held at the Benedictine Sisters’ Adoration Chapel on Nov. 29, 2025, with burial following later in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

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Father Louis J. Oldani, SJ, died Nov. 19, 2025, in Florissant, Missouri. He was 92 years old, a Jesuit for 74 years and a priest for 61 years.

His life will be remembered on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the chapel of St. Ignatius Hall at Garden Villas North in Florissant. The visitation will be at 9:00 a.m., with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00 a.m. The burial will be at Calvary Cemetery immediately following the funeral Mass.

The livestream of the funeral will be at jesuits.family/fr-oldani

Louis J. Oldani was born in St. Louis on March 1, 1933, to Louis V. and Josephine A. Ponciroli Oldani, who preceded him in death, as did his sister Louise (Robert) Vivian. He is survived by his sister, Sr. Josephine Oldani, DC, and his brothers in the Society of Jesus.

A graduate of St. Louis University High School, he entered the Society of Jesus on Aug. 8, 1951, at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri, and pronounced first vows on Aug. 15, 1953. He was ordained a priest on June 16, 1964, at St. Mary’s College in St. Marys, Kansas, where he studied theology. He professed his final vows in the Society of Jesus on Dec. 26, 1980, in St. Louis.

Nearly all of Fr. Oldani’s ministry was with students in Kansas City, Missouri. As a regent, he taught English at Rockhurst High School. After completing his doctorate in English, he began teaching at Rockhurst College (later, Rockhurst University) in 1971. He retired as a professor emeritus in 2016 – a total of 45 years. In 1979, he was a Mellon senior fellow at the University of Kansas.

He moved to St. Louis in 2016 to join the Jesuit Community at Saint Louis University and moved with his community to St. Ignatius Hall in 2023.

Father Oldani was a talented professor, devoted to his students and his colleagues and much appreciated by them. His classroom was not just about discussing the great works of literature;

rather, it was an opportunity for, and a gateway into, discussion of the great ideas that the authors meant to share with their readers. He lived out an unwavering dedication to the Jesuit mission of education that was animated by his deep and abiding sense of justice. He saw himself as an advocate for the underdog and the underserved.

Father Oldani earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, a Master of Arts in English, a licentiate in philosophy and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology all from Saint Louis University. He also completed a Ph.D. in English at the University of Pennsylvania.

As we thank God for Fr. Oldani’s quiet fidelity to advancing and disseminating knowledge for the sake of the Kingdom, let us remember him in our prayers.

Memorial gifts may be to the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province. They can be mailed to 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Donate online at www.JesuitsCentralSouthern.org.

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Fr. Jim was born September 24, 1953 in Wichita, Kansas. He passed away peacefully on October 30,2025 in Liberty, Missouri. He grew up on the family farm until he left to attend high school at Precious Blood Seminary in Liberty, Missouri. From there he went on to attend Rockhurst College and Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. He was ordained a priest on June 26, 1981 for the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. He served in parishes in Kansas, North Dakota, Texas, Missouri and Iowa working with Hispanic and multi-cultural populations. He will be missed by his fellow Precious Blood community, his many parishioners and family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Esther Betzen, brother Andy, sister Theresa and in-laws John Seidl and Jeanetta Betzen. He is survived by brothers, Bart, Nick (Helen), Tom (Terri) and Luke (Julie) and sisters, Jane Wynne (Mike), Betty Seidl, Angela Fishman, Lucy and Maria. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews along with a multitude of cousins.

Visitation and Rosary will be Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10 am at St. James Catholic Church, 309 S Stewart Rd, Liberty, MO 64068 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am. Burial will be later that day at Resurrection Cemetery in Liberty, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers the following memorials are suggested:

DSNWK- Andy Betzen Endowment

Attn: Ruth Lang

P.O. Box 310

Hays, KS 67601

Catholic Community Hospice

16201 W. 95th Street , Suite 220

Lenexa, KS 66219

Our Lady of Mercy Country Home

2115 Maturana Drive

Liberty, MO 64068

Precious Blood Center

2120 St. Gaspar Way

Liberty, MO 64068

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James G. Betzen, C.PP.S, please visit our flower store.

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Father John M. “Jack” Hunthausen, SJ, died Oct. 12, 2025, in Florissant, Missouri. A quintessential Jesuit, who put both his practical skills and spiritual wisdom at the service of the Church, he was 88 years old, a Jesuit for 66 years and a priest for 55 years.

His life will be remembered during a Memorial Mass on Saturday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of St. Ignatius Hall, the Jesuit Community at Garden Villas North, in Florissant, Missouri. The Mass will be livestreamed at https://jesuits.family/fr-hunthausen.

Father Hunthausen donated his body to the Saint Louis University Medical School, so there will be no burial at this time.

John M. Hunthausen was born in St. Louis on Jan. 2, 1937, the only child of Arthur J. and Agnes Donohue Hunthausen, who preceded him in death. He is survived by cousins, friends and his brother Jesuits.

A graduate of both St. Louis University High School and Saint Louis University, he entered the Society of Jesus on Feb. 8, 1959, at St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Missouri, and pronounced first vows on Feb. 11, 1961. He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1970, at the St. Louis Cathedral by his cousin Raymond Hunthausen, bishop of Helena and later archbishop of Seattle. He professed his final vows in the Society of Jesus on Dec. 8, 1975, at St. Francis Xavier College Church in St. Louis.

Following seminary, Fr. Hunthausen returned to Saint Louis University, where he completed a master’s degree in accounting. He taught Latin and religion at Regis High School for a year, then taught accounting for two years at Regis College (now University) in Denver. He did his theology studies at Regis College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he completed a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in sacred theology, as well as a Master of Divinity. Following his ordination, he went to the University of Missouri, where he earned a doctorate in accounting.

Upon completion of his doctorate, he returned to Regis to teach accounting and direct the MBA program that he helped to establish there.

In 1980, he was named president of Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where he served for six years.

He also served the Jesuit province as a consultor to the provincial from 1975 to 1984.

In 1986, he was missioned to Collegio Bellarmino in Rome. He served as treasurer and a host of other assignments for the next 16 years, including computerizing the treasurer’s office and updating public and private community spaces. While in Rome, he also ministered to several communities of the Missionaries of Charity.

He returned to the United States in 2002 for a brief sabbatical before taking up an assignment at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, first as an administrative assistant, then as director of spiritual formation.

In 2012, he joined the Jesuit Hall Community at Saint Louis University as a pastoral minister and moved with the community to St. Ignatius Hall in 2023.

Father Hunthausen found the diversity of his assignments over his life invigorating and fulfilling.  After completing his assignment as president at Rockhurst High School, he requested an entirely different ministry and ended up in Rome. “God is the God of surprises,” he remarked on his 50^th jubilee as a priest. “When I entered the novitiate … I had no idea where this pilgrimage would lead me.”

He was exceptionally generous and prayerful, often found in the chapel. And he was grateful: He became a Jesuit in part to express his gratitude to God. “My life has been filled with so many blessings that it would be impossible to name them all,” he said. “I have received more blessings than I have been a channel of. Seeing God working in and through others has been an amazing gift.”

As we thank God for the gift of Fr. Hunthausen’s gracious generosity, let us remember him in our prayers.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Jesuits USA Central and Southern Province. They can be mailed to 4511 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. Donate online at www.JesuitsCentralSouthern.org.

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07/15/1936 – 10/10/2025

Following a life lived for Christ, his church and his family, Philip Ross Beaudoin was called to eternal rest on Friday, October 10, 2025. He was 89 years old.

Ross, as his friends knew him – and Spud to his immediate family – was born July 15, 1936, in Palo Alto, California to Heston Mark and Mabel Pauline Beaudoin. His elementary school years were spent at Palo Alto Public Schools before attending middle school at St. Joseph and graduating from Bellarmine High School in 1954. Ross was accepted into the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1954 and attended Santa Clara University Jesuit School of Theology as well as Gonzaga University (1958-1961). Following a year teaching at St. Ignatius in San Francisco, Calif., Ross concluded his time with the Jesuits and voluntarily joined the United States Air Force in 1962, initially stationed at Clark Air Base on the island of Luzon, Philippines. Ross remained in the Philippines through 1963 before returning to the United States for the remainder of his USAF 4-year service term as an Air Traffic Controller. Months after meeting while volunteering for the Red Cross, Philip Ross Beaudoin married Renata Jane Melton on June 3, 1967, at Our Lady of the Valley Church in El Paso, Texas. The two spent time in Kirksville, Mo., Olathe, Kan., and Ottumwa, Iowa, before landing in Independence, Mo., in 1975.

Ross received his Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate on October 26, 1978, joining the staff at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Independence as permanent deacon and pastoral associate. After six years at St. Mark’s, Ross took a similar position at St. Thomas More Parish in South Kansas City (1984-87) before returning to St. Mark’s until 2002 when he became the pastoral administrator at Kansas City’s St. James Catholic Church. Ross led St. James Parish’s efforts to welcome vast populations of parishioners from all over Kansas City’s Midtown area and beyond. He retired from this position in 2013 at 77, still remaining active in St. James in various capacities until his death. In 1984, Ross began his efforts across the southern border, traveling annually to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, for mission work at Annunciation House and in neighborhoods around Juarez. This mission work continues even today through Manos Amigas KC. Ross worked simultaneously as the co-coordinator of Troost Alliance in Kansas City from 2005 to 2022. In 2022 and 2023, Ross worked with the KC Welcome Alliance focused on immigrant families’ needs in Kansas City.

Philip Ross Beaudoin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Renata; children Thomas More Beaudoin (Martina Claire Verba); Annette Marie Delce; John Francis Beaudoin; Stephen Marc Beaudoin; grandchildren Amelia Claire Verba-Beaudoin and Adaline Sophia Beaudoin; nephew Charles Heston “Chuck” Beaudoin (Kimberly Beaudoin); great-nephew Charles Beaudoin; great-niece Juliette Beaudoin; cousin Sandra Pakaski (Ed Trischmann); cousin Brian Allen Reynolds; several first-and second-cousins.

A visitation will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday, October 18, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church, 3909 Harrison Street in Kansas City, Mo., with a funeral Mass to follow at 10 a.m. Cremation services provided by KC Cremation Society of Kansas & Missouri, with a private interment to follow the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. James Catholic Church Renovation Fund or Journey to a New Life. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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1945 – 2025

Sister Esther Fangman, OSB, 80, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, died on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the monastery after a brief illness. The vigil service will be Friday, August 22, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Saturday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Esther was born in Axtell, Kansas on April 23, 1945, to Paul and Florence Stallbaumer Fangman, who farmed in the rural Seneca, Kansas, area. In 1963, she entered the Benedictine community and served as an elementary teacher in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City, Kan., and Beatrice, Neb. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Mount St. Scholastica College, and then her M.S. in education (School Psychologist Program) from the University of Dayton and her Ed.D. in counseling from Idaho State University.

She was director of the counseling program at St. Charles Borromeo parish in Kansas City, Mo., 1982-93, as well as a consultant and counselor for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Sister Esther also had a private counseling practice in Kansas City. In 1998, she was elected president of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica, a mutual support organization of women’s monasteries throughout the U.S. and Mexico. During the twelve years of her three successive terms, she was of assistance to Benedictine women not only in her congregation, but also around the world. In 2017, she was elected prioress of the Mount St. Scholastica community and served a six-year term, leaving office in 2023. She was a mentor, role model and counselor to many, particularly in her challenging work with victims of addiction, sexual abuse and trauma.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Charles, Gilbert and Leonard Fangman and her sister Ruth Haug. She is survived by brothers Lester (Janet), Elmer, and John (Fran), sister Janie Werner, numerous nieces and nephews, and her monastic community.

Arensberg Pruett Funeral Home (www.arensbergpruett.com) is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount’s web site (www.mountosb.org).

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