Sister Leonissa (Eulalia) Karlin CSA, 85, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2008 at Nazareth Center, where she resided.
Born in Severin, Kansas on March 16, 1923, Eulalia was the first of fifteen children brought into the world by Leo Karlin and Martha Etzel Karlin. Although two boys died in infancy, eight boys and five girls lived to be adults. Two of the five girls chose to become Sisters of St. Agnes.
Eulalia entered the convent in 1939 and made her first profession of vows as Sister Leonissa in 1942. For the next fifty years, Sister Leonissa ministered in some area of food service in congregational institutions. The first fourteen years were at St. Agnes Convent, at that time 390 East Division Street, where Sister Leonissa helped prepare delicious meals for the elderly sisters, the sisters in residence, the young women who were preparing to enter the congregation, and the priests who provided the liturgy and sacraments for the sisters. The candidates and novices found in her a support and model of religious life and she enjoyed getting to know them.
Later, having earned a food service management certificate from Fontbonne College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1958, Sister Leonissa served as food service director or in similar positions at congregational hospitals and health care facilities in Wisconsin and in Kansas. Her pleasant manner, peaceful nature, infinite patience, and simple ways endeared her to all who worked with her. After fifty years, Sister continued in food service in a volunteer capacity, spending the next ten years serving in the Hays, Kansas community. In 2004 aging and declining health brought Sister Leonissa to retirement at Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where she participated in all that she could and when she could not participate, her prayerful and peaceful presence was treasured.
Sister Leonissa's simple yet profound love for God poured itself out in humble service. Always thoughtful of others, always thankful for their goodness to her, Sister will be remembered for her beautiful smile and her generous heart. She loved being and was indeed a "home-maker," even in large institutions. She brought the homey touch wherever she was to whomever she served. Now the God she loved so well has brought her home at last.
Sister Leonissa is survived by two sisters: Sister Mary Martha Karlin CSA of Fond du Lac and Betty Pfeifer of Hays, Kansas; three brothers: John Karlin of Hillsboro, Oregon, Tom Karlin of Tacoma, Washington, and Peter Karlin of Beloit, Kansas; many nieces and nephews; other relatives, friends, and the members of the Congregation of Saint Agnes with whom she lived and ministered.
Preceding Sister in death are seven brothers: infants Norman and Gerard, Leroy, Lawrence, Herbert, Frederick, and Felix; and two sisters: Leocadia Dreiling and Martha Biegler.
Visitation: Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 9:00 AM to 1:45 PM at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI where a prayer service will be held at 11:00 AM.
Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM Thursday at the St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI. Burial will be in St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac. Fr. Ed Sippel will officiate.
Memorials may be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.
The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff at Hospice Hope for their care for Sister Leonissa.