April 10, 1927 – April 18, 2025
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Anna Margaret Kern, CSJ, who passed away on April 18 at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 98 years of age.
Sister Anna Margaret, baptized Helen Margaret, was born on April 10, 1927, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, to parents Francis X. and Anna Margaret (O’Brien) Kern. She was received into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1948. She received a bachelor’s degree in history from Fontbonne College (now University) in 1967.
In 1950, Sister Anna served two years as general help at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in St. Louis. She moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1952 and taught for 10 years at St. Joseph Carondelet Child Center.
In 1962, Sister Anna taught at St. Paul Grade School in Negaunee, Michigan. A year later, she returned to St. Louis to teach elementary education at St. Jude Grade School, where she remained until 1965. She then spent the next year teaching at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys.
After completing her bachelor’s degree, Sister Anna Margaret served in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for the next 38 years. She taught at St. Vincent de Paul Grade School (1967-1969) and Holy Rosary Grade School (1969-1975). She then served as secretary at St. Louis Cathedral Grade School for the next five years. In 1980, she returned to teaching and spent the next six years at Saints John & James Grade School in Ferguson. In 1987, she went on to teach at Good Shepherd Grade School, where she would complete her years of ministry in education.
Sister Anna retired in 2005. Since 2013, she resided at Nazareth Living Center carrying out her mission of prayer and presence.
Sister Anna Margaret donated her body to science.
The Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Nazareth Living Center, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.