Sister Mary Augustine passed away on March 13, 2025, at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 94 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 76 years. She was born in Ellis, KS on March 10, 1931, to Mathias and Regina Flax Augustine, the oldest of nine children, and was baptized Elizabeth Mary. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on September 8, 1949. On March 19, 1949, Mary received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Virgil, later changing back to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on March 19, 1950, and the final vows on March 19, 1953.
Sister Mary received a BA in Psychology and English from Marymount College, Salina, KS in 1961 and an MS from Kansas State University in Education in 1968. She began her 29-year teaching career in schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Plainville, Leoville, Damar, Manhattan, Oakley, KS; Grand Island, NE and Aurora, IL. Following her teaching career, she worked at St. Joseph’s Children’s Home for three years, served as a Clergy Counselor for Chemical Dependency for six years, ministered as a parish pastoral associate for eight years and served as hospital chaplain for twelve years. She retired to Nazareth Motherhouse in 2015.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by one sister, Marcella Goodwin of Salina, KS; and three brothers, Al, Salina, KS, Virgil, Olathe, KS and Irvin, Salina, KS. A Bible Vigil Service will be held March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Auditorium with Sister Anna Marie Broxterman as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be March 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Auditorium, with Father Barry Brinkman presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Nutter Mortuary, 116 E. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Mary Augustine 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 nuttermortuary.com.
