Sister Marianna Kosior, OSF, died on December 11, 2021 at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Illinois.

Sister Marianna, the former Gloria Kosior, was born in Whiting, IN, on August 4, 1922, the daughter of Albert and Anne (Skrabala) Kosior. She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1943, and professed her religious vows on June 13, 1946.

Sister Marianna received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Fontbonne College in 1949 followed by an Internship in Dietetics at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN. She earned a Master’s Degree in Administration from Notre Dame University in 1981.

Sister Marianna served as a Dietitian at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin early in her career. From1962-1968, she was the Administrator of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, IL. She served as Administrator of St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur, IL from 1968-1969. From 1969-1979 she served as a Provincial Councilor and Provincial Superior. She founded Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) in 1978 and served as Executive Vice President 1979-1980 when she assumed the role of President until 1989. She was the Convent Librarian for many years and retired from active ministry in 2016.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, James Kosior, two sisters: Loraine Duray and Rose Marie Koopman.

She is survived by a brother, Albert Kosior, Crown Point, IN, a niece and a nephew, and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for over 77 years.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. on December 14. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dennis Koopman, OFM on December 15 at 9 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will follow in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

To read her feature from 2006, please click here.

Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

We welcomed four new Associates on November 7 during the morning liturgy in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel. The new Associates are Mary Kay DeGroot and Rita Nortrup, Springfield; Melissa Marchant, Green Bay, WI; and David Wehrwein, Sheboygan, WI.

“More than 35 years ago, the universal Church identified ways to welcome men and women who desired a way to deepen their baptismal commitment by accepting God’s call to live according to Jesus’ Gospel but not profess vows,” explained Nancy Davis, Associate Coordinator. “One of the ways was through an Associate relationship to a religious community and in the Hospital Sisters’ tradition, our Associates seek to model themselves in some way in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi and the example of our Sisters,” explained Davis.

These four Associates join a family of 130 Associates who embrace Franciscan values and the Hospital Sisters’ spirit while bringing the compassion of Jesus to others in ways that fit their lifestyle. Associates meet monthly to share their faith on spiritual and Franciscan topics, share in the Hospital Sisters’ spirituality and join with them in prayer, community, celebration and ministry. Associates do not take vows.

Founded in 1987, Associates of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is a ministry that is open to baptized Christians 18 years or older with gatherings in Decatur, Effingham, Highland, Springfield, and Streator, IL; and Eau Claire, Green Bay, and Sheboygan, WI. 

Left to right: Melissa Marchant, Sister Maureen, Sister Annice, Mary Kay DeGroot, Rita Nortrup, Sister Mary Ann, David Wehrwein, and Nancy Davis

We welcome Mary Kay DeGroot (Springfield, IL) to our family of Associates. She is pictured with Sister Maureen O'Connor, OSF, her sponsor.

We welcome Melissa Marchant (Green Bay, WI) to our family of Associates. She is pictured with Sister Annice McClure, OSF, her sponsor.

We welcome Rita Nortrup (Springfield, IL) to our family of Associates. She is pictured with Sister Mary Ann Minor, OSF, her sponsor.

We welcome David Wehrwein (Sheboygan, WI) to our family of Associates. He is pictured with Sister Annice McClure, OSF, his sponsor.

The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois produces a video series of churches in the diocese and the current feature is St. Francis of Assisi Church. This statement is shared about the series: "The church for this beauty series is a true hidden gem of the diocese. Located at the former Chiara Center and home of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, is the beautiful and majestic St. Francis of Assisi Church."