Obituary: Sister Martha Kienzler

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.

Sister Martha Kienzler, OSF

Joliet Franciscan Sister Martha (M. Joris) Kienzler passed into eternal life September 20, 2023, at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital. She was a devoted and cherished member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate for 62 years.

A native of Springfield, Illinois, Sister Martha, born on July 29, 1936, was one of George J. and Clementine (Burger) Kienzler’s four children. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Clementine Kienzler, her brother George (Vivian) Kienzler, her sisters Dolores (Robert) Pellman and Mary (Vernon) Schafer. She is survived by two generations of nieces, nephews, and many cherished friends and colleagues.

Sister Martha attended SS. Peter and Paul elementary school and Ursuline Academy in Springfield, Illinois. She received an Associate of Arts degree (1956) from Springfield Junior College, Springfield, Illinois, a BA in history and philosophy, cum laude (1958) and an MA in theology (1969) from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois. Sister Martha held a MSW from the University of St. Louis (1971) St. Louis, Missouri, and was a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois. She furthered her studies with courses in theology, spirituality, social work, pastoral studies, and gerontology. Sister Martha earned a multiple-disciplinary Certificate in Geriatrics for Non-Physicians from the University of Illinois, Champaign.

After teaching at Cathedral of St. Raymond School, Joliet, Illinois, (1961-1963) Sister Martha served as a case worker (1963-1970) for Catholic Charities in Toledo, Ohio. From 1973 to 1975, she was the Director of Social Services at Guardian Angel Home, Joliet, Illinois. Her ministry then took her to Defiance, Ohio, where she served as Director of Catholic Social Services (1975-1981). She was a pastoral minister at Sacred Heart Parish (1984-1989) in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, until she returned to Joliet, Illinois, (1989-1996) where she ministered as Director of Social Services at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home. In 1996 until 2008 she was Pastoral Associate at Immaculate Conception Parish in Morris, Illinois. Sister Martha shared her skills in social work, spirituality, and gerontology as she served in the Pastoral Care Department at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home (2009-2016) and continued her ministry of prayer and presence at Story Point Senior Living in Romeoville.

Visitation for Sister Martha Kienzler will take place at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, on Thursday, September 28, 2023, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances and committal will follow at approximately 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Resurrection Cemetery, 200 W. Romeo Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446. All are invited to attend.

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Martha Kienzler or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL, 60435.

For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.

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