Alberta Helen Utrup

KALIDA - Alberta Helen Utrup, 82, of Kalida died at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2018 at The Meadows of Kalida. She was born April 7, 1935, the daughter of Albert and Veronica (Kreitemyer) Utrup. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Brother Leo Utrup C.P.P.S. and Dorothy Kleman. She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Lucia Utrup, brother-in-law, Wilfred Kleman, and niece, Linda Miller. She is survived by her brother, Harold "Boogie" Utrup of Ottawa; seven nieces and nephews and their their spouses, Gib (Shirley) Kleman, Emma (Jerome) Horstman, Mel (Alice) Kleman, Dan (Cynthy) Kleman, Tony (Teresa) Kleman, Cathy (Bill) Ward, and Deb (Mike) Haselman; many great-nieces and nephews; and several great-great-nieces and nephews.

Alberta attended St. Michael parochial school in Kalida, Ohio for elementary and the Academy Notre Dame of Providence in Newport, Kentucky for High School. She graduated from Villa Madonna College in Covington, Kentucky (now Thomas Moore College) with a bachelor's degree and Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a master's degree in Education.

In June 1949, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence in Melbourne, Kentucky. She made her profession of vows in August 1953 and was a religious sister for nearly 30 years, during which time she served as teacher and principle in elementary schools in Kentucky, Maryland, and Ohio.

In 1981, Alberta participated in a Clinical Pastoral Education program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and shortly thereafter became certified as a chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

For 27 ½ years she served untiringly in ministry at Mercy Hospital Western Hills and Mercy Franciscan at Westpark, a Senior Living Community, both in Cincinnati. Alberta provided encouragement, support, comfort, and consolation to patients, resident, families and staff in both settings. Hers was a compassionate heart.

Alberta enjoyed visiting with family and friends, being in nature, doing counted cross stitch and reading. She was a member of St. Aloysius Gonzaga parish in Bridgetown, Ohio and appreciated her ministries there as Lector and Eucharistic Minister. She also participated in St. Al's "Linus Ministry" making blankets for hospitalized children. A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Cincinnati at a later date.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Kalida with Fr. Mark Hoying officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Love Funeral Home, Ottawa and one hour prior to mass on Thursday at the church. There will be a Scripture Service at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the American Heart Association, (5211 Madison Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227) or the American Diabetes Association (10200 Alliance Rd., Suite 101, Cincinnati, OH 45242)

She will be greatly missed but we find comfort knowing she is at rest in God's Kingdom.