Sister Mary Julia Stegeman died April 17, 2010 at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 99 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 82 years. She was born in Selden, KS, on September 6, 1910 to John and Cecelia Mumm Stegeman, the second of five children, and was baptized Anna. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS, on February 15, 1928. On August 15, 1928, Anna received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Julia. She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1930 and final vows on August 15, 1933. For almost 30 years S. Mary Julia took care of the Chapel and laundry duties at Marymount College, making long lasting connections with the students. In 1983 S. Mary Julia moved to St. Mary's Convent in Grand Island, NE, where she was a prayerful presence to many home-bound persons and the elderly. She retired to the Motherhouse in 1991. The sunken garden at Marymount College, the flowers and garden at St. Mary's Convent in Grand Island, NE and the greenhouse at Nazareth Motherhouse were all kept beautiful with S. Mary Julia's "green thumb" and her tender, loving care. Sister Mary Julia was preceded in death by her parents, one infant brother, Edward, and her three sisters, Sisters Louis Marie and Rose Cecilia, Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia and Sister Ermenilda, Benedictine Sisters of Clyde, Missouri. A wake service will be (was) held April 20, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Virginia Pearl as eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be (was) April 21, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel, Rev. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be (was) in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Memorials for Sister Mary Julia Stegeman may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.