Carlene Yonker Obituary

Sister Carlene Yonker, O.S.F., 92, a Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration for 74 years, died peacefully at Mount St. Francis Nursing Center in Colorado Springs on June 20, 2016.

Frances Mary Yonker was born on September 4, 1923 in Akron, CO to Benjamin and Mary Gertrude Fladung. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and five sisters. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver and received the Franciscan habit on August 12, 1942 and professed her final vows in 1949. Sister Carlene graduated from Creighton University in Omaha, NE with a BS degree in Pharmacy.

As a registered Pharmacist she worked at St. Francis Hospital, Colorado Springs (1948-49; 1957-62); St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lincoln, NE; St. Joseph Hospital, Omaha, NE; and St. Mary's Hospital, Columbus, NE. For five years she also served as Administrator at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, NE.

In later years she became a certified hospital Chaplain and ministered at St. Anthony Hospitals (1972-75; 1983-1991) and the Gardens at St. Elizabeth (1991-95) in Denver, CO; St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lincoln, NE and St. Francis Hospital, Grand Island, NE. While in Denver she attended and graduated from the Catholic Biblical School.

She moved to Mount St. Francis in 1995 and ministered as Director of Health Services for our Sisters, then as a volunteer in Pastoral Care at Mount St. Francis Nursing Center.

Sister Carlene loved life and the beauty of nature. She was always involved and loved participating in all kinds of activities that her various ministries offered her.

The rosary will be prayed for Sister Carlene in the Mount St. Francis Nursing Center chapel at 3:00 pm on Thursday, June 23, with a Vespers and Wake Service held in Canticle Chapel at Mount Saint Francis at 5:15 pm. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, June 24 in St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church followed by burial in the Mount Saint Francis Cemetery.

Memorials can be sent to: Sister Nadine Heimann, Provincial, Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, at 7665 Assisi Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80919.