80 Years
Sister Cecilia Bush, CSJ
80 Years
Educated by the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Thomas elementary school in Kansas City, KS, Sister Cecilia entered the congregation March 19, 1929. Much of her life was spent in education—as a student (she earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees) and as an elementary and secondary school teacher and principal and as an instructor, academic dean and president of St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, KS.
Sister Cecilia also served in congregational positions as chair of the 1976 Total Participation Chapter and as director of planning. For four years she served as editor of The Catholic Advance, the Wichita weekly diocesan paper. Sister has ministered faithfully as a planner and organist for daily prayer and Eucharistic Liturgy at the Wichita Center.
75 Years
Sister Hildegarde Struble, CSJ
75 Years
Sister Hildegarde received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1934. She taught in Catholic elementary schools for 17 years, and earned a master’s degree in library science by taking graduate courses during the summers. Sister served as librarian at St. Mary of the Plains College for six years before being asked to minister as postulant mistress, earn a master’s degree in sacred theology and teach theology at the Wichita Center. Afterward she returned to the SMPC library for 21 years. In 1991 Sister Hildegarde moved to the Wichita Center to minister as librarian and retired in 2004.
“I praise and thank God for the many graces and blessings of my life. I am especially grateful for my family who have loved and cared for me. To our community of the Sisters of St. Joseph, I feel deep gratitude and love for the many spiritual opportunities I have been given.”
Sister Louise Noemi Bernos, CSJ
75 Years
Sister Louise Noemi came to the Congregation of St. Joseph as a postulant on August 30, 1932. From 1934 until her retirement in 2003, education was Sister Louise Noemi’s primary ministry. She served as an elementary school teacher and principal, novice director in New Orleans for 11 years, and as a teacher of English as a second language. In 2007 this native of New Orleans relocated to Marian Hall at the Wichita Center.
“I thank God for such a long, useful life. I hope God has received praise and glory from my actions.”
70 Years
Sister Ann Diskin, CSJ
(formerly Sister Margaret Ann)
70 Years
After entering the congregation on March 20, 1939 Sister Ann served in education for 30 years, 15 as an elementary school principal. Sister Ann engaged in catechetical work in Kansas and Kentucky and then served in parish ministry, primarily in San Leandro, CA. Sister Ann moved to the Wichita Center in 2005 where she is engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction.
Sister Beverly Lartigue, CSJ
(formerly Sister Marie Louise)
70 Years
Sister Beverly came to the Congregation of St. Joseph as a postulant on September 8, 1937. She ministered as a teacher in Louisiana and Mississippi, served as novice director in New Orleans for 7 years, and visited homebound for 5 years. Following the destruction of Meribeau by hurricane Katrina, Sister Beverly relocated to Marian Hall at the Wichita Center.
60 Years
Sister Vita Linnebur, CSJ
(formerly Sister M. John Joseph)
60 Years
A licensed cosmetologist, Sister Vita sold her beauty shop in order to enter the Congregation of St. Joseph. She received the habit on March 19, 1949. Following her canonical year, Sister was asked to earn a degree in pharmacy from Creighton University. In the summer of 1954 Sister Vita received her degree, passed the pharmacy boards and made final vows. She ministered as a licenses pharmacist in Kansas and Oklahoma. Sister Vita also ministered as nursing home manager and personnel director at St. Joseph Hospital and Nursing Home in Del Norte, CO, personnel manager at Blackwell General Hospital in Blackwell, OK; she served in the medical records department at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, CA, and in the archives and as a receptionist in the men’s residence hall at St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, KS. Following closure of the college in 1992, Sister Vita moved to the Wichita Center.
Sister Connie Robles, CSJ
60 Years
Having first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph during vacation Bible school in Arkansas City, KS, Sister Connie received the habit on March 19, 1949. Sister entered the teaching ministry in 1950 and, although technically “retired,” each weekday afternoon during the school year she tutors students attending St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Wichita.
“Life has woven many intricate patterns upon the fabric of my very being sometimes surrounded by brilliant hues and now and then tinged with the dark shades of suffering, but my song continues to be sung in the hope that I’ll always be ready to respond with a grateful heart for all the good the Lord has allowed me.”
Sister Patricia Mae Stanley, CSJ
(formerly Sister Mary George)
60 Years
Sister Patricia entered the Congregation of St. Joseph from St. Joseph Orphanage in El Dorado, KS, and received the habit on March 19, 1949. For the next 32 years, Sister Patricia served as a teacher in all levels of elementary and junior high school. In 1982 she began her teaching ministry at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, KS, by establishing the computer science program. Following the closure of the College in 1992, Sister Patricia taught computer science at St. Mary College in Leavenworth, KS. From 1996 to 2000 Sister served as a member of the leadership team. Sister Patricia currently ministers as a member of the information technology department at the Wichita Center.
“Here I am, Lord, through your grace and will. May I continue to follow the wondrous path you have set for me and to always answer your call.”
Sister Teresa Waner, CSJ
(formerly Sister Daniel Marie)
60 Years
Sister Teresa Waner entered the Congregation of St. Joseph from St. Patrick’s Parish in Florence, KS, on March 19, 1949. Sister Teresa ministered as an elementary school teacher and/or principal in Kansas and California for 36 years. Since 1986 she has served as the liturgist and director of music at the Wichita Center. During these years she has also given private music lessons and has been a member of Sweet Adelines.
Sister Mary Clare Doebel, CSJ
60 Years
Born in Tishimigo, OK, Sister Mary Clare Doebel entered the Congregation of St. Joseph on March 19, 1949, from St. Francis Parish, St. Paul, KS. An educator, Sister Mary Clare taught in Catholic elementary schools in Kansas and Oklahoma for 50 years. Since 2000 Sister Mary Clare has ministered as sacristan at the Wichita Center.
“If I had to do it all over again I would still be a Sister of St. Joseph!”
Sister Antoinette Yelek, CSJ
60 Years
After completing nurses’ training with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Halstead, KS, becoming a Catholic, earning a master’s degree in nursing from Marquette University, and taking coursework in hospital executive management at St. Louis University, Sister Antoinette entered the congregation of St. Joseph on March 19, 1949. Sister ministered as a nurse and hospital administrator in Kansas and California for 22 years. From 1972 to 1992 she served four terms as president and one term as a councilor of the Wichita congregation. From 1992 to 2009 Sister Antoinette served in fundraising for St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, CA, as well as Via Christi Foundation and CSJ Dear Neighbor Ministries, Inc., in Wichita.
Sister Prudentia Nelson, CSJ
60 Years
A senior at Kansas State University, Sister Prudentia entered the Congregation of St. Joseph on March 19, 1949. An educator, Sister taught all grade levels in Kansas public and Catholic elementary and high schools, and at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, KS. From 1969 to 1992 Sister Pudentia taught home economics, health and biology classes at Colgan High School in Pittsburg, KS. After retiring from fulltime teaching and moving to the Wichita Center, Sister volunteered to teach ESL and GED classes for the Catholic Diocese of Wichita Immigration and Refugee Services. Sister Prudentia retired from active ministry in 2004 and resides in Marian Hall at the Wichita Center.
“On our first night in the novitiate, Sister Ildephonsus said, ‘You probably are saying, “Look, God, what I did for you,” but it won’t be a week until you’ll say “Look, God, what you’ve done for me.”
Sister Bridget Donohue, CSJ
(formerly Sister Patricia)
60 Years
A native of County Roscommon, Ireland, Sister Bridget entered the Congregation of St. Joseph on March 19, 1949. Sister ministered as a teacher in Catholic elementary schools in Kansas from 1950 to 1969. She also served as a librarian at St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, Kansas. Sister was engaged in pastoral care ministry from 1975 to 1985. Sister Bridget also assisted refugees in the Wichita Diocese through social service ministry and as a teacher of ESL classes. Ten years ago health issues forced Sister Bridget to retire from active ministry.
“I am thankful to God, to my family and relatives, to the Sisters of St. Joseph, and to all my friends for their goodness to me.”
Sister Anne Claire Price, CSJ
60 Years
Sister Anne Claire came to the Congregation of St. Joseph as a postulant on September 8, 1947. An educator and hospital chaplain, she ministered in elementary schools in New Roads, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA, and at Mercy, Baptist and Children’s hospitals in New Orleans. Sister Anne Claire also served on the staff of the People Program in New Orleans for 10 years. In 2006 Sister moved to Marian Hall at the Wichita Center.
Sister Rita Marie Thissen, CSJ
60 Years
On July 26, 1949 Sister Rita Marie Thissen entered the Congregation of St. Joseph from St. Patrick Parish, Kingman, KS. From 1950 to 1991 Sister served as a teacher or administrator in Catholic elementary schools in Kansas, California, Iowa and Oklahoma. Sister then returned to Wichita Center and ministered as hospitality director of the Spiritual Life Center in Wichita, and subsequently as coordinator of the assisted living and skilled nursing section of the Wichita Center. Sister Rita Marie also served in the human resources department of Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, Pittsburg, KS. In 2006 Sister spent a year ministering in Malawi, Africa. Sister Rita Marie currently serves in hospitality ministry at the Wichita Center.
“People are God’s greatest gift to me for they are the broken bread that has nourished my very being.”
50 Years
Sister June Horning, CSJ
(formerly Sister Robert Marie)
50 Years
Sister June Horning first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph during her senior year of high school in Eugene, Oregon. The following spring she asked to become a postulant. She entered the novitiate and received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1959. Sister June has taught in Catholic elementary schools in Kansas, California and Oregon. She has also served as a chaplain at St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, CA, St. Joseph Medical Center, Wichita, KS, and St. Joseph Medical Center, Ponca City, OK. Sister June currently teaches ESL classes to immigrants in Wichita.
Sister Rose Anne Wolke, CSJ
50 Years
Sister Rose Anne became a postulant with the Sisters of St. Joseph following graduation from St. Patrick’s elementary school in Wichita. She formally entered the Congregation on March 19, 1959. Sister Rose Anne’s early years of ministry were in the classroom in Catholic schools in California and Kansas. Upon earning a master’s degree in social work at St. Louis University, Sister ministered as a social worker at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City, OK, St. Joseph Nursing Home, Del Norte, CO, and St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, CA. Sister Rose Anne served as vice-president of Mission Effectiveness at St. Rose Hospital, Hayward, CA, and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City, OK. Sister has also served as a social worker for Catholic Charities in Wichita, KS, Denver, CO, Lawton, OK and New Orleans, LA. Sister Rose Anne currently ministers as a volunteer at Center of Hope in Wichita.
“I am deeply grateful to God for calling me to religious life over 50 years ago. Each year has been even more blessed than the year before. When the Gospels speak of those who follow God’s call receiving a hundredfold in this life, that has certainly been the case in my life. Living community life with such a diverse and loving group of women as a support has continued to bring joy and love to me. My life’s journey has been and continues to be a sheer adventure because of God’s love and call.”
Sister Gracelyn Soignet, CSJ
(formerly Sister Bonaventure)
50 Years
A teacher and a nurse, Sister Gracelyn came to the Congregation of St. Joseph as a postulant on September 8, 1956. She taught in elementary and vocational schools in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. LA. Sister Gracelyn also served as a nurse and as the administrator of the Mirabeau Complex in New Orleans. When hurricane Katrina forced the sisters to evacuate from Mirabeau, Sister Gracelyn accompanied those needing health care to Wichita. She currently ministers as a nurse caregiver at the Wichita Center.
