Kroehler, Mary Magdalena, 1907-1966. Collection, 1930-1966

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0292

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection primarily consists of photographs and accompanying captions along with letters and reports that Kroehler wrote to relatives in the United States. The photographs are in album form and curated to tell a story. These materials document her experiences as a Christian missionary and nurse in India and Honduras.

The photograph albums are numbered based on how they were received and digitized by the donor. There are duplicated images across the albums. Some images appear to be cut out of publications or other magazines.

Of special note, album four, includes a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to the Chandkhuri Hospital.

Dates

1930 - 1966

Conditions Governing Access

There is one folder of restricted material. There are no restrictions on the rest of the collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply.

Biographical / Historical

Maria Magdalena (Magda) Kroehler was born April 21, 1907 on the family farm outside of Henderson, Minnesota. She was the youngest of eight children born to George Philip Kroehler and Marie Schrupp Kroehler. Magda, as she was known, graduated in 1929 from St. Lucas Hospital School of Nursing in Faribault, Minnesota. In 1930 she accepted a call to be a Christian missionary nurse in India. From 1930-1948, Magdalena served as the superintendent of nurses at Chandkhuri Hospital in Baitalpur, India, which was established for patients suffering from leprosy. Part of her mission including training people who had leprosy to be nurses to care for others. She then served as the superintendent of nurses and nursing school director at a general hospital in Tilda, India from 1948-1951. After returning to the United States for three years she went to Honduras as a missionary nurse serving in San Pedro Sula, Conception del Norte and the surrounding countryside as part of a mission of the United Church Board for World Ministries of the United Church of Christ. She died on September 17, 1966 in Detroit, Michigan and is buried in Brown Cemetery, Henderson, MN.

Extent

1.25 Cubic Feet (1 Hollinger Box (Hollinger Box 01) 1 Hollinger Box Legal (Hollinger Box 02)) : Positive Photographs, Letters on carbon paper

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Maria Magdalena (Magda) Kroehler was born in 1907 in Henderson, Minnesota. After graduating from nursing school, she served as a nurse and Christian missionary in India and Honduras for most of her life.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Carolyn Kroehler donated this collection in June 2023.

Related Materials

The collection of Magdalena Kroehler’s brother Franklin is in the Southern Minnesota Historical Center: Kroehler, Franklin P., 1897 – 1974. Papers, 1954-1975. SMHC Collection 0156, Southern Minnesota Historical Center, Memorial Library, Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Kroehler, Mary
Status: Completed
Author: Jamison Vierstraete and Adam Smith processed this collection in June 2024.
Date: 2024-06
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin