Obituary for Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller — June 5, 1946 – June 26, 2021
Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller died June 26, 2021, at her home in Salina, Kansas. She was 75 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph of Concordia for 56 years. She was born in Wittmannsdorf, Austria, on June 5, 1946, to Sebastian and Barbara Assmann 
Apaceller, the second of three children, and was baptized Martha Elizabeth Stefanie.
She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on Sept. 8, 1964. On Aug. 15, 1965, Martha received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Barbara Ellen. She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1966 and final vows on August 15, 1971.
In 1970 Sister Barbara Ellen received her B.A. Degree in Theology from Marymount College, Salina, Kansas. She taught in Fairbury, Nebraska. From 1976-84 she was part of a pastoral ministry team in western Kansas. Sister Barbara Ellen became the Director of Youth Ministry for the Salina Diocese in 1984 and remained in that position until her death.
Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by two sisters, Anna Flaim of New Buffalo, Michigan, and Linda Fregeau of Aurora, Illinois.
A Bible Vigil Service will be held at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 118 N. Ninth Street, Salina, on June 30. The Sisters of St. Joseph and the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. A social will follow the wake service in the parish hall. All are invited to attend. The Mass of Christian Burial will be a private service for Sisters and family only at the Nazareth Motherhouse with Father Don Zimmerman presiding and Father Bill Surmeier and Father Barry Brinkman concelebrating. Sister Vera Meis is the eulogist. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. Sixth St., Concordia, Kansas, is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Barbara Ellen may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O. Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.
To make an online donation in Sister Barbara Ellen Apaceller’s memory, click on the button below:
What loving and wonderful memories I have of Martha/Sister Barbara Ellen! We were in the Apostolic School together for three years and 5 more years in community! The train rides back and forth from Illinois to the Motherhouse and back! We would sing carols during the Christmas season to the delight of the passengers! Martha enjoyed that as we all did! Martha Appaceller was special right from the beginning of our time together….generous, thoughtful and fun! I will hold her and all those golden memories forever in my heart! I and all who were touched by her were privileged to have her in our lives!
Thank you, dear Barbara Ellen for blessing my life!
Love, prayerful hugs and healing energies for your transition to your next great adventure! Continue to send your blessings to us!. You, indeed, were the gift that blessed our journeys!
Betsy/Liz