Sister Edith Kahler, OP

“I thank God for all His blessings and pray each day for peace.”

I was born in Saginaw of German immigrant parents, Otto and Clara Kahler, in 1930. My sister, Loretta and brother, Otto and I went to Sacred Heart School and were taught by Dominican Sisters. In April 1946 I went to Marywood as an aspirant and after graduating entered the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids.

After making my final vows, I began working on my master’s degree. Most of our higher education was obtained in summer school. It was difficult but so rewarding. The rest of our lives were dedicated to teaching. I taught 25 years in Michigan and 30 years in New Mexico. How I loved the Southwest: land of high dessert, white mountain peaks, cacti and yucca, and beautiful Spanish people. Teaching was filled with so many blessings.

Speaking of blessings, let me end on one of the greatest – a month spent in Europe with my mom and dad in the 70s. We landed in Frankfort and went first to Mom’s home in Bavaria. It was a little village called Kleinwallstadt. There I met my aunts, uncles and many cousins. What a joy! We couldn’t visit my dad’s home because it was behind the Iron Curtain. Our hearts were sad, but we turned toward Rome. Now 94 years later, I thank God for all His blessings and pray each day for peace.