In Memoriam: Sister Clarice Gentrup, OSF

COLORADO SPRINGS. After a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Sister Clarice (Agnes Anna) Gentrup, OSF, died March 5 at Mount St. Francis Nursing Center. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Colorado Springs, followed by burial in Mount St. Francis Cemetery. 

Sister Clarice was born Dec. 5, 1937, in Beemer, Nebraska, the seventh of 11 children born to  Theodore and Theresa (Spenner) Gentrup.  

Sister Clarice entered the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration on Aug. 12, 1956, professing final vows on Aug. 12, 1963.  She enrolled in Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.  In 1964, she was assigned to minister at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver. 

In 1990, after seven years as chaplain at St. Francis Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska, Sister Clarice was elected Provincial for the Sisters of St. Francis, St. Joseph Province, and returned to Mount St. Francis in Colorado Springs. Sister Clarice served two terms as Provincial, from 1990-2002.

In 2003 Sister Clarice was elected to serve on the congregation’s General Council in Olpe Germany, serving six years as a General Council Member and re-elected for an additional six years as Vicar General.

She is survived by her brother Ted and sisters, Leona, Ludmilla, and Theresa.