Sister M. Julia Kuropka Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dateline: Alton, Illinois Sister M. Julia Kuropka, 94, died at 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at St. Francis Convent Infirmary in Alton, Illinois. Sister M. Julia was born on March 26, 1926, in Werden, Kreis, Oels., Diocese of Breslau, Germany. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George on March 5, 1953, was received into the Novitiate on October 3, 1953, and made her First Profession of Vows on October 4, 1955, all in Germany. She consecrated herself to the Lord forever in Final Profession on September 16, 1959, at the St. Francis Convent in Alton, IL. She celebrated her Golden Jubilee in the Motherhouse on October 16, 2004, and her Diamond Jubilee in Alton, on October 5, 2014. Sister M. Julia was sent to the American Province on January 6, 1956. She served as a nurses’ aide in Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Alton, Illinois, from 1956 to 1963, and in the Mother of Good Counsel Home in St. Louis Missouri, until 1971. She was then transferred to St. Francis Convent in Alton, where she served the Sisters for 15 years in their dining room. From 1986 until 2001, she worked in housekeeping in the convents in Tulsa, Oklahoma, St. Louis, Missouri, and Springfield, Illinois. She was entrusted with the Office of Sister-in-Charge for six years at St. Michael Convent in Springfield. She was transferred to St. Francis Convent in Alton in December of 2001. She assisted in the Sisters’ dining room for two years. She then became an Adoration Sister. Sister M. Julia is survived by one sister, Marta Monkediek, and one sister and brother-in-law, Hedi and Georg Symalla, both residing in Germany. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be a private Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial for Sister M. Julia. Father Paul Nguyen, OMV is officiating. Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton is entrusted with professional services. Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George.

Sister M. Julia Kuropka

March 26, 1926 - September 22, 2020