Zita Marie Oberle

Sister Zita Oberle, 87, entered eternal life on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Marian Hall, Mt. St. Mary Convent, Wichita, Kansas. Sr. Zita was born on September 27, 1937, to Bernard and Laura (Doll) Oberle in Great Bend, Kansas. She was the second child in a family of seven children. From grades 1-5, Sr. Zita attended a one room rural country school. For grades 6-8 she attended Immaculate Conception School in Claflin, Kansas where she met the Sisters of St. Joseph. After completing her high school years at Claflin High School in 1954, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph September 8, 1954. She received the habit and religious name of Sister Mary Lauren March 19, 1955. Her final profession was July 26, 1960. Sister Zita was a teacher and principal for 31 years. Her teaching experiences were mainly in Kansas and Oklahoma. They were: 13 schools in Kansas (11 in the Wichita Diocese and 2 in Dodge City Diocese) and 1 school in Oklahoma. When she retired from teaching, she began taking care of her mother. While taking care of her mother, she worked with a family crisis center and elder care in Great Bend, Kansas. After her mother’s death she moved to Newton, Kansas and continued to work with the elder care through Companion Care. When she retired to Mt. St. Mary, she did various ministries to assist the sisters. She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Laura, brother Larry and sister JoAnn Winkler. Survivors include her brothers Mark (Dianna), Kent (Jan), Rick (Cecile) and sister Doris Griffin and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Wake will be Friday, August 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. All services will be at Mt. St. Mary Convent, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67218. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Dear Neighbor Ministries or the Retirement Fund for the Sisters of St. Joseph, 3700 E. Lincoln, Wichita, KS 67218.