Sister Francis Joseph Hoover dies at 97

Sister Francis Joseph Hoover died Dec. 17, 2009, at Mount Joseph Senior Village in Concordia. She was 97 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia for 72 years. She was born in Kimeo, Kan., on Dec. 16, 1912, to John and Anna Burke Hoover, the fourth of seven children, and was baptized Helen Louise. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on Feb. 7, 1937. On Aug. 14, 1937, Helen received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Francis Joseph. She pronounced first vows on Aug. 15, 1938, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1941.

Sister Francis Joseph received a bachelor’s degree in English from Marymount College in Salina and a master’s degree in Elementary Educational Supervision from the University of Detroit, Mich. She taught in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Leoville, New Almelo, Collyer, Abilene, Leawood and Salina in Kansas and in Silver City, N.M., and Chicago. In 1975 she joined the staff of Manna House of Prayer in Clyde, Kan. In January 1978 she moved with the Manna House staff to the former St. Ann’s Home in Concordia where she helped facilitate new and expanding ministries. In 1993, she retired to the Nazareth Motherhouse, and then moved to Mount Joseph Senior Village in 2004.

Sister Francis Joseph was preceded in death by her parents and her six siblings. A Bible Vigil Service will be held Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel with Sister Lucy Schneider as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Motherhouse chapel with Father Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Francis Joseph Hoover may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia KS 66901.