Sr. Martha Walther was born on August 25, 1934 to George A. and Rosalie Kathman Walther of St. Benedict’s Parish and given the name Martha Anne. She was the fifth of six children, with two sisters and three brothers.
Martha graduated from Villa Madonna Academy in 1952 and entered St. Walburg Monastery as a postulant on August 15 of that same year. She became a novice in 1953 and received the name Sister Janine. First profession followed in 1954, perpetual in 1957, silver jubilee in 1979, golden in 2004, her 60th in 2014 and her 70th in 2024.
Sr. Martha began teaching in 1954 and took the first steps toward a college degree. After eleven years of summers and Saturdays she completed her BA in Spanish in 1965 at Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More University). During those years she taught elementary school at St. Paul and Holy Cross Schools and Spanish, Latin and Social Studies at St. Henry High School. She served as moderator for Student Council and YCS (Young Christian Students).
In 1965 Sr. Martha was one of four Benedictine Sisters to travel to Pomata, Peru for mission work in religious education and English. She returned to teach Spanish and Social Studies at Villa Madonna Academy from 1967 to 1976. Martha completed work for her MEd in Secondary Ed at Xavier University in 1973. In 1981 she received an MA in Theological Studies from the University of Dayton.
Martha served as director of the Northern Kentucky Interfaith Commission 1976-85. She made many friends among the church people in the local area. She initiated the Exodus Jail Ministry while working at the Interfaith Commission.
Within the St. Walburg community Martha served on the Formation Team for newcomers to the religious life from 1981 to 1990, Vocation Director 1983-94, Coordinator of the Benedictine Associates (now Oblate) Program 1985-90, and served at Villa Madonna Center, offering hospitality to those who used the building for day care and retreats 1988-96.
The N. KY Adult Reading Program (1996-2001) welcomed Martha as a coordinator of volunteer services. Her final employment was as secretary/notary for the Tribunal Office of the Diocese of Covington. Martha retired in 2011.
The list of Martha’s board and committee memberships is long and varied. She used her skills and assisted others to enhance their own. She taught, mentored, tutored, translated, wrote articles, planned, organized, spoke, lectured, and chaired. Martha smiled easily, laughed readily, and worked hard. She was personable, kind and thoughtful, a good friend.
As Martha reached her nineties, the years took their toll on health and memory. Martha died on August 20, 2026. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary Dusing and Carole Wichmann, her brothers George, Paul and Lou, many nieces and nephews, and her Benedictine community.
Vigil were held at 7 p.m. on August 30, 2026, followed by visitation until 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 5:00 pm, August 31, 2026. All services were held at St. Walburg Monastery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Rd., Villa Hills, KY 41017; www.stwalburg.org