Sr. Joanne Kinjerski, 93, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, died March 1, at St. Francis Convent.
The former Barbara Anna Kinjerski was born on June 12, 1930, in West Kewaunee, daughter of the late Isidore and Stella (Knipp) Kinjerski. She and her nine brothers and two sisters lived on an 80-acre farm in West Kewaunee.
At age 16, Sr. Joanne was employed at Hansen Glove Factory where she worked for four years. When she heard her father and brother speak with deep respect for the sisters who taught religious education at their parish, she became curious. She wanted to go and find out what inspired this “awe.” The final push that moved her to religious life came from a personal invitation from Sr. Cyrilla Patek.
She entered the convent in 1951 and professed vows in 1954.
Sr. Joanne earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Norbert College, De Pere. She served as a teacher for 27 years at Holy Cross, Bay Settlement; St. Mary, Bear Creek; St. Jude, Green Bay; St. Isidore, Osman; St. John the Baptist, Howard; and Holy Family, Marinette.
She served in personal and pastoral care at McCormick Assisted Living, Green Bay, for approximately 15 years. At the motherhouse, she served as a laundress, nurse’s aide, gardener and seamstress. Sr. Joanne also transformed rose petals into rose-rosaries.
Survivors include the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and Associates; a brother, Isidore (Beverly) Kinjerski; sisters-in-law, Mabel Kinjerski and Julie Kinjerski; godchildren, Wally Pardowski and Barbara Bowman; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Harry, Frank, Simon, Thomas, Lawrence, John, Joseph and Michael; sisters, Marian Kinjerski and Rose Pardowski; sisters-in-law, Anita, Leona, Delores, Joyce, Marie, Mabel, Jeanne and Loretta Christensen; and brother-in-law, Milton Pardowski.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Holy Cross Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Road, Bay Settlement. Fr. Dean Dombroski will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Convent Cemetery.