Sr. Joel Jacobi, OSF

Sister Joel Jacobi, O.S.F., 98, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, died on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at 6:15 p.m. at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL. Sister Joel, the former Marie Jacobi, was born in Belleville, IL, on January 3, 1917, the daughter of Urban and Anna Biver Jacobi. She entered the Congregation on February 1, 1936 and professed her religious vows on October 4, 1938. Sister graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in 1941. She received a BSN from St. Louis University in 1955 and an MSN from Catholic University in 1959. Nursing was the focus of her professional life, serving as staff nurse, supervisor and clinical instructor over a period of fifteen years. After obtaining her BSN and MSN in Nursing, Sister assumed the nurse educator role at St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Illinois, Marillac College in St. Louis, and at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; and was Professor of Nursing, teaching young students compassionate care for the sick and poor for 40 years. In the early 1980's, while stationed in Eau Claire, Sister was instrumental in starting a food pantry to distribute food to those in need until her return to the Motherhouse in 2005. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Jacobi, and two sisters, Armella Touchette and Irma Hausmann. She is survived by one sister, Dolores Galway of Port Clinton, Ohio, and many nieces and nephews, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for more than 77 years. Visitation: A visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent on Tuesday, December 15, 2015 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent with Father Andre Schludecker, OFM, presiding. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Francis Food Pantry, 1221 Truax Blvd., Eau Claire, WI 54703.