SISTER GERALDINE KOKENGE

Sister Geraldine Kokenge died October 14, 2019, at Mount Joseph Senior Village in Concordia. She was 91 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 72 years. She was born in St. Benedict, Kan., on February 26, 1928, to Lawrence and Frances Rilinger Kokenge, the second of five children, and was baptized Geraldine Mary Ann. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia on February 2, 1947.  On August 14, 1947, Geraldine received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Justina, later returning to her baptismal name, Geraldine. She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1948, and final vows on August 15, 1951.
Sister Geraldine served the community in the food service industry in various institutions, including Kansas Wesleyan University, and Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School in Salina, Kan.
After she retired in 2000 she moved to Medaille Center, Salina, and then to Nazareth Motherhouse in 2006.
Sister Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. She is survived by one brother, Elmer, of Topeka, Kan., and one sister, Lorrine Warner, of Pembroke, Mass. A Bible Vigil Service will be held October 16, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Marilyn Wall as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be October 17, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Father Barry Brinkman presiding. The internment of cremains will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, Kan., is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Geraldine Kokenge may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters,  P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS  66901. For online condolences, please visit www.chapubuoy.com.