RUMA — Sister Adella Goeckner of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, passed away Sept. 25 at Ruma Center. She was 95 years old and had been an Adorer for 78 years.
She was born to the late William and Rosa (Probst) Goeckner in Bishop Creek on Oct. 8, 1918, one of nine children. She made her first vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ on July 2, 1936 and final profession on July 1, 1941. She and her five sisters all joined the Adorers between 1928 and 1944.
Sister Adella spent her entire religious life in the medical profession. After working as an aide for a year, she studied nursing and graduated with her degree in 1943. She ministered as a nurse, occasionally heading the nursing department at St. Vincent (now Taylorville Memorial) Hospital in Taylorville and St. Clement (now Red Bud Regional) Hospital in Red Bud.
She specialized in anesthesiology, earning her certification in 1946 from St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield. She served as an anesthetist for 25 years. In 1974, Sister Adella received training as a physician's assistant and served as a PA for eight years at St. Vincent Memorial Hospital.
During her last 14 years in full-time nursing service, Sister Adella served the aging ASC sisters. She was the R.N. at Clementine Residence in Red Bud, located adjacent to St. Clement Hospital. Following this service she was appointed as the R.N. at the Ruma Center.
Sister Adella was known both for her gentle demeanor and her wry sense of humor. She was artistic and enjoyed appliqueing, making greeting cards and oil painting. Additionally, she spent time quilting with several other sisters, including three of her siblings.
Sister Adella was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmothers Clara (Willenborg) Goeckner and Elizabeth (Koester) Goeckner; her brothers William Goeckner, Alphonse Goeckner and Norbert (Eleanor) Goeckner; and her two sisters, Sister Mary William Goeckner, ASC and Sister Martha Goeckner, ASC.
She is survived by her three sisters, Sister Mary Jerome Goeckner, ASC, Sister Laura Goeckner, ASC, and Sister Emma Goeckner, ASC; her cousin Sister Jacinta Willenborg, ASC; many nieces and nephews; and members of the U.S. Region of Adorers.
The Mass of Resurrection for Sister Adella was celebrated in the Ruma Center Chapel on Sept. 30, with burial in Ruma Center cemetery. Donations in her memory can be made by visiting www.adorers.org.