Sister Margaret Jilka died December 12, 2018, at Mt. Joseph Senior Village in Concordia, KS.  She was 88 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 69 years.  She was born in Salina, Kansas on February 17, 1930 to Jerry and Agnes Wearing Jilka, the fifth of five children, and was baptized Margaret Mary.  She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, Kansas on September 8, 1948.  On March 19, 1949, Margaret received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Eugene.  Later, she returned to her baptismal name, Margaret.  She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1950 and final vows on March 19, 1953.

Sister Margaret received an AB in English from Marymount College, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Detroit and an MA in Theology from Fordham University.  She was a Religious Education teacher at Catholic schools in Cawker City, Grand Island, Nebraska and Salina, Kansas.  In 1990 she became hospital chaplain at St. John's Hospital, Salina, Kansas until her retirement in 2006.  In 2008 she moved to the Motherhouse and then to Mt. Joseph Senior Village.

Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister.  A Bible Vigil Service will be held December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Eulalia Kloeker as the eulogist.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be December 17 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Rev. Jim Hoover 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 Margaret Jilka 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.  For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.