Sister Francis Joseph died December 17, 2009 at Mt. Joseph Senior Village in Concordia, KS. She was 97 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 72 years. She was born in Kimeo, KS on December 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, Concordia, KS. on February 7, 1937. On August 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 August 15, 1938 and final vows on August 15, 1941. Sister Francis Joseph received a B.A. in English from Marymount College in Salina and a M.A. in Elementary Educational Supervision from the University of Detroit, Michigan. 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, NM and Chicago, IL. In 1975 she became a member of the Manna House of Prayer staff in Clyde, KS. 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 Nazareth Motherhouse. She moved to Mt. 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 December 20, 2009 at 2:00 pm in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Lucy Schneider as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be December 21, 2009 at 10:00 am in the Motherhouse Chapel with Rev. John Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6 ^th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Francis Joseph Hoover 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.