In a small town of Julian, Neb., just south of Nebraska City, on Monday, May 7, 1923, Fern Ella was born to Rollan Frederick and Walburga Ann Wirth Stukenholtz. Fern Ella soon became just Fern, joining her older sister, Rose. On Sunday, May 25, Fern Ella was baptized into her faith at Saint Mary Church in Nebraska City. The Stukenholtz family was just beginning to grow and in quick succession brothers and sisters followed until there were 10, plus Mom and Dad. Rose and Fern were the first grandchildren and got lots of attention; the next three John, Jean and Kathleen — all got lots of spoiling, too. Soon, the Stukenholtz family was complete with six girls and four boys — Rose, Fern, John, Jean, Kathleen, Rollie, Lou, Joan and Carl. The family was steeped in an atmosphere of faith, Christian witness, love and laughter. The children attended the Harmony District 53 Elementary School.
The Great Depression hit and years of drought came to Nebraska when the children were young. Even then through it all, the family shared faith, joy and adventure. On the farm they always had food to share and the parlor davenport served as guest bed for those who stopped by for a night or two and a few good meals. (The family home was near the railroad track.) Some of the homeless and hungry often helped with farm work before moving on.
As Fern grew so did her faith. Shortly after her 10th birthday she was confirmed at Saint Bernard Church in Julian. By the time she was 13, Fern took her first step away from the family farm and became a boarder at Saint Bernard Academy in Nebraska City. She met the Ursuline Sisters who taught there and in a very short time knew deep in her heart: I am becoming an Ursuline Sister! After graduation in 1940, she began corresponding with Mother Teresita to discover what steps she needed to take. (From Fern’s letters at this time, the Ursuline Sisters recognized the delightfully diverse nature of the postulant approaching their doors.) Her mom was very happy that Fern had made this choice, but her dad was totally against it, saying that he would never go to church if she left. Fern loved her dad and knew that she could pester him hard enough and long enough to make him change his mind and say “yes.” Her plan worked because she took the train to Kentucky and entered the novitiate on Sunday, September 7, 1941 ; on Friday August 14, 1942, she received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Jean Richard. On Tuesday, August 15, 1944, she made temporary vows; final vows on Friday, August 15, 1947.
Sister Jean Richard’s first assignment was as housekeeper at St. Columba in Louisville for one year. From there she went to St. Paul School in Leitchfield, Holy Cross, Curdsville, Browns Valley, Hardinsburg, and St. Francis, all in Kentucky. Next she was missioned to Blanco, N.M. By 1965, Sister Jean Richard had earned a BS in history from Brescia University; a naster’s degree from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green in 1973, with certification in special education in 1975.
During these years she taught at St. John in Plattsmouth, Neb.; Farmington, N.M.; and Saint Anthony and Clarkson Public schools in Peonia and Clarkson, Ky., establishing the special education program in Clarkson.
By 1977, Sister Jean had been teaching 32 years, and it was time to go home to Lourdes Elementary School in Nebraska City. For the next 27 years, she taught at Lourdes: 10 years in her own classroom, and 17 years teaching computer skills and just about anything else students needed or she discovered. Fifty-nine years in schools across three states and three generations always with a smile and airy laugh. In 2004, she retired to the Motherhouse and in 2007, she entered Saint Joseph Villa where she continued to pray with, entertain, support, encourage and enjoy the residents and the staff, bringing delight to all she met during the next five years.
Just a short while after Evening Prayer on Saturday, September 8, 2012, Sister Jean Richard was home in the midst of all the saints, seeing the One whom she dearly loved and for Whom she had spent her entire self loving and serving others. How fitting that it was that 71 years earlier on the eve of that same feast Fern began her life as an Ursuline of Mount Saint Joseph. Following the Mass of Resurrection in the Motherhouse chapel, Sister’s remains, accompanied by family, friends and the Ursuline Sisters, were carried to Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery for burial.