Sister Lucille Kern, ASC, 94, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, died peacefully on July 24, 2024, at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. She had been professed for 77 years.

Sr. Lucille was born on July 5, 1930, and baptized Elizabeth. She was the last of eight children born to the late Christian and Ellen (nee Kelley) Kern in Red Bud, Illinois. Two of her sisters were also members of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

Sr. Lucille received her certification from the Institute of Child Care at St. Louis University in 1963. She received additional certification through the University of Illinois in Monticello in 1967. She was also certified in clinical/pastoral care and hospice care from Heartland Hospice in Fairview Heights, Illinois. She attended courses in psychology and childcare at Saint Louis University. She continued to stay up to date with developments in her ministry by attending conferences, workshops and networking.  

Sr. Lucille’s ministry in child care at Catholic Children’s Home in Alton included serving more than 20 years as houseparent, then assistant administrator. Other leadership positions were assistant administrator of De Mattias Hall, the ASC House of Studies on the campus of Saint Louis University, and administrator and religious leader of the Ruma Center.

Her ministry in the dietary division of several large institutions included service at St. Vincent (now Taylorville) Memorial Hospital in Taylorville, King’s House Retreat Center in Belleville and Our Lady House of Studies on the campus of Saint Louis University. She also ministered in convents at St. Cecilia in Bartelso and St. Libory in St. Libory.

Following a brief sabbatical in 1990, Sister Lucille began pastoral care ministry, where she served for almost 20 years. Her places of service included O’Fallon Healthcare in O’Fallon and Heartland Hospice in Fairview Heights. She then continued her pastoral care ministry at the Ruma Center for several years.

As a member of her local community, Sister Lucille knew how to laugh, pray, play, and enjoy that special cup of coffee with a friend. Her greeting, “So good to see you,” was always as genuine as the smile that lit up her face.

Sr. Lucille is survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and members of the ASC community.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers and sisters: James, who died three days after his birth, Leo (Erna) Kern, Helen (Clement) Schlotmann, Joseph (Cora) Kern, Simon (Mary Ellen) Kern, Sr. Wilfreda Kern, ASC and Sr. Teresita Kern, ASC.

Visitation is noon to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at Benedictine Living Community Chapel at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, Belleville.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated following visitation at the chapel.

Inurnment will be at Convent Cemetery in Ruma.

Donations in memory of Sister Lucille may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, St. Louis, or online at adorers.org, “Support our Ministries.”