Photos (l to r): Sisters Winnike, Elsbernd and Wernimont
Special spiritual Diamond Jubilee celebrations were held earlier this year for three Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration with connections to west central Iowa and Carroll. Sister Lucille (Mary Linus) Winnike, marks 70 years of vowed religious life. She entered the convent from her home in West Point, Iowa, and after receiving a bachelor’s degree in math with a minor in physics, a master’s degree in math from Notre Dame and Permanent Certification for Secondary Administration from Creighton University, she spent several years in elementary schools, including St. Peter and St. Paul of Carroll. She currently serves at the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha. Sister Helen Elsbernd and Sister Cormarie Wernimont are both celebrating 60 years of religious life. Sister Helen Elsbernd has held many educational positions in Wisconsin, Utah and Iowa after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics and then going on to earn a master’s degree and Ph.D in inorganic chemistry. She served 12 years on the St. Anthony Regional Hospital and Nursing Home Board of Directors and currently serves on the St. Anthony Foundation Board. And Sister Cormarie Wernimont called Our Lady of St. Carmel Parish home before she entered the St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisc. She earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics with a minor in chemistry before ministering at the St. Francis Hospital, now known as the Mayo Clinic. She has also served at St. Anthony Regional Hospital before going on to earn a master’s degree in medical dietetics. She came back to spend one year as director of pastoral care at St. Anthony, then as a receptionist and volunteer at the Carroll Health Center until 2000.
