The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration delight in the celebration of our 2024 jubilarians — vowed Franciscan women centered in Eucharist, committed to be loving presence through prayer, witness and service.
This year's celebrants — diamond jubilarians — include members of the Class of 1954, honored for 70 years as Catholic sisters: Sisters Malinda Gerke, Rachel Kiefer, Marie Kyle and Dolores Lilla. Also celebrated are members of the Class of 1964, honored for 60 years as Catholic sisters: Sisters Mary Becker and Karen Flottmeier.
The FSPA community held a celebration in their honor on May 1, 2024, at St. Rose Convent's Mary of the Angels Chapel in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
These sisters share personal reflections of gratitude for their religious life as Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration at fspa.org, and we honor each jubilarian for their service.
A native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Malinda Gerke, who is celebrating 70 years of religious life, entered St. Rose Convent there. Her interest in music led her to teach in Montana, Wisconsin and Iowa. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education with a minor in piano and organ from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse, she received a master’s degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1991 Sister Malinda became liturgy coordinator at St. Rose, earning a graduate certificate in liturgy through the University of Notre Dame in Indiana while serving there. Sister Malinda took an interest in the restoration of the congregation’s harp and began taking harp lessons. She became an accomplished harpist and began the ministry of harp therapy while continuing to serve as coordinator of resurrection liturgies for FSPA. Sister Malinda has recorded numerous harp albums. Her interest in the St. Rose chapel led her to publish the book, “Mary of the Angels Chapel: God’s Answer to a Bold Promise.” In her retirement, Sister Malinda continues ministering as harpist and organist, authoring books and recording “Adoration Moments” for the congregation.
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Rachel Kiefer, a jubilarian of 70 years, entered FSPA from Bozeman, Montana. Sister Rachel received a Bachelor of Music from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and went on to teach music in schools in Washington and Wisconsin for 15 years. She served as librarian and group mother at St. Michael’s Home in La Crosse before FSPA called her to minister as secretary in the congregation’s Western Province. In 1983 Sister Rachel began a career as executive secretary for the medical insurance company, Aetna, serving in Spokane and Seattle, Washington, until 1997. Since Sister Rachel’s retirement, she has served as a volunteer secretary for Holy Rosary Parish in Lynwood, where she now volunteers as sacristan, Eucharistic minister and lector. An artisan of greeting cards, rosaries and other items, she continues her craft today.
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Marie Kyle came to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from Stanley, Wisconsin, and is a 2024 jubilarian of 70 years. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in nursing from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse. Sister Marie began her ministry in health care as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, and St. Francis Hospital (now known as Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare La Crosse). With a Master of Science in Nursing from St. Louis University in Missouri, she served as a teacher of nursing at St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Pocatello and Viterbo. Sister Marie served as a clinical nurse while earning her nurse practitioner certification through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She went on to minister as a specialist in gerontology until she was elected assistant of FSPA’s Eastern Region. After four years in that role, she was appointed administrator at St. Rose. Sister Marie retired in 2007 and now serves as a health care companion to sisters.
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Dolores Lilla, celebrated for 70 years of religious life, was born in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and entered St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from Wausau, Wisconsin. She served as a teacher in elementary schools in Iowa, Wisconsin and Washington, and went on to earn a Bachelors of Elementary Education from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse. Sister Dolores ministered as teacher of middle grades and as vice principal for more than 40 years before beginning parish ministry in 1997. After retirement she served in pastoral outreach at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Merrill, Wisconsin, visiting the ill and elderly. Sister Dolores moved to St. Rose in 2022, where she ministers in prayer and hospitality.
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Mary Becker came to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin, from Loyal, Wisconsin, and is a 2024 jubilarian of 60 years. She ministered as a primary school teacher for over 30 years in Wisconsin and Mississippi before earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in mathematics from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse. After leaving the field of education in 1996, Sister Mary ministered to those unhoused in Walla Walla, Washington. She served as hospitality coordinator at Clare Center in Spokane, Washington, for two years before moving to serve as food service manager at St. Rose in 2002. In 2010 she spent six months working in an orphanage in Shishong, Cameroon. Returning to La Crosse, Sister Mary volunteered at St. Rose and went on to serve as receptionist at Villa St. Joseph in 2012. Today Sister Mary ministers as a volunteer at St. Rose.
From La Crosse, Wisconsin, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Karen Flottmeier, a jubilarian of 60 years, entered St. Rose Convent there. In 1962 she began her career as an elementary school teacher in Wisconsin and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in English, speech and drama from Viterbo College (now known as Viterbo University) in La Crosse. Sister Karen undertook religious studies in 1972 in Jackson, Mississippi, before achieving a master’s degree in education and religion from Fort Wright College in Spokane, Washington. She also received a master’s degree in pastoral ministry and theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. With this preparation she served as diocesan director of religious education for the Diocese of La Crosse and assistant director of catechetical services for the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa. In 1993 Sister Karen was elected leader of the FSPA Central Region. After completing her term, she served at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa, until appointed to the FSPA Membership Office Team. Sister Karen went on to serve as a pastoral minister in Spring Green, Wisconsin, before returning to La Crosse to volunteer at several local hospitals and schools. She retired to St. Rose in 2023.