Mary Lou Mendel, SCL

SISTER Mary Lou Mendel, SCL (October 22, 1931 – August 4, 2024) Sister Mary Lou Mendel, 92, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 72 years, died on August 4, 2024. Born in Lewistown, Montana, on October 22, 1931, Sister Mary Lou was the second daughter of Delbert and Nancy (née Burdette) Mendel. For the first few years of her life, she lived in a log cabin with a sod roof along the banks of the Missouri River that runs through the Missouri Breaks in Montana, where she played in the water and learned to enjoy nature at an early age. Her father died when she was four years old. Her mother moved to Red Lodge and later married Robert “Bob” Robinson, who raised Sister Mary Lou and her older sister as his own.

Her mother, originally from Kansas City, Missouri, encouraged her daughter to attend Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, to be near family. While there, she got to know the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth as proficient teachers and joyful women and eventually pursued religious life due to their example, and at the encouragement of a Red Lodge priest. She entered the Community on August 21, 1952, and took the name Sister Leo Therese when she received her habit; she later returned to her baptismal name.

Sister Mary Lou earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Saint Mary College and a second master’s degree from the University of Wyoming. She taught for one year in an elementary school and 16 years in high schools across Kansas, Missouri, Montana, and Nebraska. After earning a certificate at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership from Loyola University in Chicago, she served for six years in SCL formation as Tertian Director, Director of Vocations, and Director of Novices. Her love of Community, deep spirituality, gentle nature, and ability to teach and connect with others served her well as a guide and companion for young women entering religious life.

In 1982, Sister Mary Lou returned to Montana, where she served for 39 years. She first served as Pastoral Minister for Holy Rosary Parish in Billings and then as Parish Administrator for parishes in Bridger, Joliet, and Fromberg. She later ministered at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. In 2011 she moved to the Crow Reservation in Pryor, Montana, at St. Charles Mission, where she continued in parish ministry. While in Pryor, Sister was adopted by Raylene and Jonathon Pretty On Top. She is a member of the Ties the Bundle Clan and a Child of Big Lodge.

In November of 2021, Sister Mary Lou retired to Ross Hall. Over the years, Sister Mary Lou served as a spiritual director for Sisters, parishioners, and people she met along the way. One of her greatest gifts was helping others to see, know, and experience God at a deeper and more personal level in their individual lives and relationships.

The people she ministered to and with will remember her for her ease with people. Her kind and compassionate nature helped her build meaningful relationships. She enjoyed good humor, even when the joke was on her. While she enjoyed people and her ministry, she also took time to enjoy all of God’s creation, hiking numerous trails in the Red Lodge area as well as Glacier and Yellowstone Parks.

Preceding Sister Mary Lou in death were her father, mother, stepfather, and nephew, Tej Sibia. Survivors include her siblings, Mozelle Weast, Doris Krebs, Roberta (George) Cady, and Ed (Carol) Robinson; many nieces and nephews; and the SCL Community.

There will be a vigil service at 7 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2024, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Interment follows in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.