In Memoriam: Sister Sylvia Gehlhausen

Sister Sylvia Gehlhausen, 97, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the monastery.

Sister Sylvia was born Leona Gehlhausen on January 10, 1924 in Ferdinand, Indiana, the eighth of ten children of Richard and Catherine (Zeller) Gehlhausen. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1940 from St. Ferdinand Parish and made her monastic vows in 1942.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Hilbert Fischer; her sister and brother-in-law Virginia and Louis Harter; her brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Flora (Paleschi); her brother Gerald; her brother and sister-in-law, Merrill and Lucille (Stetter); her brother and sister-in-law Herman and Doloras (Bich); her brother and sister-in-law Sherman and Elizabeth (Friebert); and her brother and sister-in-law Leander and Juanita (Baker). She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Bonita and Robert Emmert, and her religious family.

Sister Sylvia held a Bachelor’s degree in Education and taught elementary school for 42 years at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Haubstadt, IN; Schnellville Elementary School in Schnellville, IN (twice); St. Joseph School in Evansville, IN; St. Philip School in St. Philip, IN; St. Joseph School in Dale, IN; St. Mary of the Knobs School in Floyds Knobs, IN; Dubois Elementary School in Dubois, IN; St. Anthony School in St. Anthony, IN (twice); Ireland Elementary School in Ireland, IN; and St. Meinrad Elementary School in St. Meinrad, IN.

Sister Sylvia served as Assistant Director of Oblates and Minister of Hospitality and Chaplains with the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand.

Visitation will be in Alumnae Center at the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, Friday, May 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Social distancing and masks will be required. Funeral Mass will be private for community members and family only on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the monastic cemetery following services. Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.