As you walk down the second floor of the Motherhouse, you may hear the gentle hum of a melodic voice. From an office filled with orange-tinted walls, the voice becomes clearer, and then you see Marnita.
One might think that a voice so full of sunshine belongs to someone delicate, but as you speak with her, you quickly realize that her kindness is matched by remarkable strength. There’s a beautiful balance in Marnita, where compassion and resilience intertwine seamlessly.
Marnita’s story begins long before her time with the Sisters. Decades ago, in Boggstown, Indiana, a little girl named Marnita met a boy named Brian in kindergarten. They became acquaintances and went their separate ways, as often happens. More than forty years later, those paths crossed again, this time on Facebook, and something deeper blossomed. That reconnection led Marnita to Oldenburg. What began as a rekindled friendship became a marriage, and what started as a part-time job developed into a full-time job with the Sisters. Today, she walks to work each morning from her home in Oldenburg, just a few minutes away from her office. When reflecting on how life changes, she stated, “Sometimes things just fall into place.”
In her role as Director of Human Resources, Marnita, alongside Sister Julann, supports the co-workers in their HR needs. Outside of the day-to-day tasks, they also prepare handcrafted birthday cards and birthday bulletin boards. Marnita also coordinates volunteer events, including volunteering at the local food pantry, collecting food donations, and a toy drive for local children.
Outside of work, Marnita describes herself as a homebody—unless she’s biking with her husband. Together, they have three children and three grandchildren, ranging in age from 4 to 13. Marnita also loves to travel, whether it’s relaxing on the beaches of Destin or exploring Ireland, Iceland, or the Cayman Islands, she treasures every adventure.
One of Marnita’s deepest joys was her dog, Winnie. Her eyes light up when she speaks about adopting Winnie from a shelter. For over 15 years, Winnie was part of every family moment, posing in Christmas cards and wedding photos, joining hayrides, and even going Christmas caroling. “Winnie was the best and smartest dog,” Marnita says fondly. She knew countless commands, including when it was time to go to bed. One year, she dressed Winnie as a pumpkin, though Winnie wasn’t too thrilled about the outfit!
Before joining us, Marnita served our country. At 18, she traveled alone to South Korea while serving in the National Guard. She proudly served for 24 years, retiring after a long and meaningful career that included time as a recruiter—one of her favorite roles. “Make mission, go fishing,” was a saying her team lived by, and the friendships she built there remain dear to her.
Her military service has blessed her family with lasting opportunities, from healthcare to travel benefits that have allowed her to take her loved ones to places like Hawaii and Ireland. When asked how she joined the military, she laughs, recalling a persistent recruiter who kept calling her in high school. “I finally went in just so he’d stop calling,” she says with a smile. Once she heard about the chance to go to college for free, she was sold. Perhaps it was destiny, her father was a Marine, after all. Marnita has flown on a C-130 tanker with her family but still hopes to one day fly in an F-15. Next on her list? Skydiving—and passing the SPHR exam.
Marnita embodies what it means to serve with joy. Her warmth fills the halls, her laughter brightens the day, and her heart reminds us of all of what it means to live and serve with purpose and love. Thank you, Marnita, for your service and for your dedication to the Sisters and co-workers.