Our Sister Leonardine Sconzert, OSF (age 96) died on September 5, 2026, here at
St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Leonardine, the former Marcella Rose, was born in Luxemburg, WI, on April 9, 1930, the daughter of Peter and Caroline (Finendael) Sconzert. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1945, and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1948. Sister Leonardine graduated from St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1954 and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marillac College in 1972. Sister Leonardine served as a nurse at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as at Alverna Home Nursing in Chicago, IL. She also served at the House of Prayer, Henry, IL, along with the Franciscan Apostolic Center and St. Francis Convent personal care department, both in Springfield.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers: Boniface, Harry, Harvey, Hilary, Roy, Wilbert, and William; and sisters: Bernice DeMuth, Flavia Sconzert, and Harriet Schilke. She is survived by several nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for more than 80 years.

The Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 11, with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel, with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent. Staab Funeral Home will oversee arrangements.

Feature story from 2007