Sr. Marilyn Doerger OSF

Sr. Marilyn Doerger (formerly S. Christine), age 81, of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, Indiana, died on September 23, 2024, at the Motherhouse in Oldenburg, Indiana. Born on March 20, 1943, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was the second of four children born to Urban and Clara (nee: Pfeiffer) Doerger. Her father was a cabinet maker and newspaper carrier, and her mother was a housewife and artist. Sr. Marilyn attended ICA Aspirancy (now Oldenburg Academy), and then received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Math from Marian College. She then continued her education at Ball State University and the University of Dayton, obtaining a master’s degree in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Math. Sr. Marilyn was originally attracted to the Franciscan life during her younger school days. She had Franciscan teachers from the fourth grade on, and their joy attracted her to their way of life and their simplicity. She learned of Oldenburg in the eighth grade and became an Aspirant as a freshman. She immediately felt her mind was made up from the very beginning to follow her call as a Sister of St. Francis. The first 26 years of Sr. Marilyn’s work were devoted to teaching grades 5-8, mainly junior high school, in Indiana and Ohio. In 1989, she spent a year at One Way Farm as a House Mother to abused and abandoned girls. From there, Sr. Marilyn took on the role of Media Secretary in the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Switching roles again, she worked at two retirement centers, acting as resident manager for one and activities assistant for another. This last role also gave her time to spend time with her mother, who was a resident there. Sr. Marilyn returned to the Motherhouse in 2014, where she volunteered in the Oldenburg Academy Advancement office. When her health would no longer permit that, she spent her final years enjoying her Sisters in community, spending time on her computer, watching television, and listening to music. Sr. Marilyn is survived by her brother James, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Victor and her sister Valerie. Prayer and visitation will be Thursday, October 17th, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. followed by the Mass at 10:30 a.m., all at the convent chapel, with Fr. Ken Overberg SJ officiating. The burial will be at the Motherhouse Cemetery in Oldenburg. For those unable to attend, services will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/4yu4NmFbLIU?feature=share. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, Indiana 47036 Donate Online - SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS (oldenburgfranciscans.org).

Sr. Marilyn Doerger OSF

March 20, 1943 - September 23, 2024