Sister Arlene Winkler, OSF, (94), died on November 24, 2023, at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Arlene, the former Mary Theresa, was born in Leipsic, OH, on June 21, 1929, the daughter of Louis and Lauretta (Lammers) Winkler. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on March 6, 1949, and professed her first vows on October 4, 1951.

Sister Arlene was a 1960 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Springfield. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1971 from Marillac College, St. Louis, MO., and a master’s degree in gerontology in 1981 from Sangamon State University, Springfield, In addition, she earned certificates in hospice training, clinical pastoral education, and pastoral bereavement counseling. Sister Arlene served her community as a teacher, nurse, occupational therapist, and sacristan at St. Francis Convent. She also served as a nurse and hospice volunteer in HSHS hospitals in Springfield, Litchfield, and Highland. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Donald Winkler, and three sisters: Hilda Hovest, Rose Schroeder, and Alvera Alt.

She is survived by several nieces and their families as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 70 years.

Services and burial will be at St. Francis Convent. The Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29 from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 30 at 10 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel and burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

Click here to read her 2009 Feature story.

Staab Funeral Home oversees arrangements.