Rest in peace, Dominican Sister Carol Kopff

Formerly of Monroe City, Ewing

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Sister Carol Kopff, 86, a Dominican Sister of Sparkill, New York, died on Dec. 18 in Siena Hall of the Dominican Convent in Sparkill.

Sr. Carol had served in several capacities in this diocese and had helped establish the Residents Encounter Christ movement in local prisons.

She was in her 67th year of religious life.

She taught at Holy Rosary School in Monroe City from 1976-79 and served as a pastoral associate at Holy Rosary Parish from 1979-82, then as pastoral associate at Queen of Peace Parish in Ewing from 1979-82.

She was born in St. Louis on April 5, 1936, a daughter of Milton and Hilda (Rocklage) Kopff.

She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1956 and received the name Sister Mary Karen.

She professed first vows in 1958 and final vows in 1963. 

Sr. Carol held a bachelor’s degree in education from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, New York, and a master’s degree in science from North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota.

She also earned a Certificate in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

She served in schools in parishes in New York and Missouri.

From 1998-2014, she served in prison ministry at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center (MECC) in Pacific.

Sr. Carol received the 2011 St. Rose of Lima Society Lifetime Achievement Award from Aquinas Institute of Theology and the 2013 Distinguished Alumna Award from Ursuline Academy in St. Louis for her commitment to educational, pastoral, and prison ministries. 

Sr. Carol was a woman who made a difference in the lives of children, parents, colleagues and those served in her educational and prison ministries.

She proclaimed the congregational goal of ministry for justice and reverence for all creation for more than 65 years, reflecting the face of God to all especially the incarcerated.

Her family, Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends are grateful to God for Sr. Carol’s presence.

“Such a good human and servant of the Lord,” said Lisa Miles Spalding. “She has truly earned her reward. May she rest in peace.”

“Sr. Carol was a wonderful teacher at Holy Rosary,” stated Angel Varga Cox. “I remember many of her sayings and songs.”

Another former student recalled: “She didn’t even chastise me when she caught me cheating on my homework! She just tried to help me understand the subject at hand so I could pass the test.”

“She was an amazing woman with a profound understanding of people,” said Jennifer Sachse, retired warden of EMCC. “She ministered to the offenders as well as my staff at the Missouri Eastern correctional center. The world is a better place because of her.”

Surviving was a sister, Marilyn (Jerry) Unger; brothers Dale (Donna) and Greg Kopf; and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.  

Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother Don.

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