Sister Eileen (Jean Marie) Dehner, ASC, celebrated 65 years as a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Wichita Center in Wichita, KS. Sister Eileen made her first profession on July 1, 1960, and her final vows on July 1, 1965. She marked her anniversary with the celebration of the Eucharist, and a festive dinner with the ASC community.
Sister Eileen was born in David City, NE, to Henry and Mary Dehner. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart College, now Newman University, in Wichita in 1963, and her master’s from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia, KS, in 1972, both in the field of Elementary Education.
Sister Eileen worked in the religious education program at St. Aloysius in Greenbush, KS, and at Sacred Heart in El Reno, OK, where she was also active in Parish Ministry. Her primary service was teaching in Kansas and Oklahoma. She taught at St. Joseph in Ellinwood, St. Mary in Moline, St. Joseph in Offerle, and St. Francis of Assisi in Wichita, all in Kansas. She also served as Resource Teacher at St. Francis for more than 10 years. In Oklahoma she taught at St. Eugene in Oklahoma City and Holy Trinity in Okarche.
Sister Eileen is currently Living Mission in Later Life at the Wichita Center.