LEAVENWORTH — Sister Janice Steiger, 88, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 68 years, died on July 27. Born on June 3, 1938, in Glenham, South Dakota, she was the fifth of 10 children of Albert and Elizabeth Steiger.
Janice spent her childhood on a family farm west of Billings, Montana, after her family relocated from South Dakota. She attended a small two-room country school and became deeply involved in 4-H, where she developed a love of learning, service and practical skills. Even as a young girl, Janice sensed a desire to help others, imagining a future as either a teacher or a nurse. In time, God would call her to become both.
During her high school years, Janice worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings where she met Sister Mary Francine Stubbs, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth. As she discerned God’s call, Sister Mary Francine encouraged her and helped guide her through the application process.
Janice entered the Sisters of Charity community on Aug. 20, 1957. She received her habit on Feb. 20, 1958, and was given the name Sister Marie Alberta. She later returned to her baptismal name.
Sister Janice began her ministry as an elementary school teacher, serving in Missouri, Wyoming and Montana. During those early years, she discovered a calling to healthcare while working as an activity director at St. John Hospital in Leavenworth. That experience inspired her to pursue a bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas.
As an occupational therapist, Sister Janice spent many years at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, eventually serving as supervisor of the occupational therapy department. She later brought her clinical expertise into home health through Catholic Charities in Kansas City, Missouri, where she combined professional care with compassionate accompaniment.
Her ministry eventually evolved into pastoral service. After earning a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University, Sister Janice served as RCIA (now OCIA) coordinator, director of religious education, pastoral associate and pastoral care minister in Missouri, Montana, Kansas and Colorado.
After her retirement, Sister Janice continued serving others as a personal care provider in Colorado before returning to the motherhouse in Leavenworth in 2013 for volunteer ministry.
