Sister Josephine Marie (Virginella) Peplinski, 98, a Sister
of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis for 82 years, died Friday,
March 10, 2017, at the Portage County Health Care Center in Stevens Point.

Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday,
March 15, at St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel, 1300 Maria Drive. A Mass of
Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. a.m. with Rev. Dennis Stanchik
officiating. Burial will follow in the convent cemetery.

Sr. Josephine Peplinski was born Oct. 17, 1918, in
Milwaukee, to the late Stanley and Genevieve (Grzechowiak) Peplinski. She was
received into the novitiate of the community Aug. 5, 1935, and pronounced
perpetual vows Aug. 4, 1942.

Sister Josephine Marie began her teaching ministry in 1937
in Catholic schools in the Chicago area where she taught at the elementary,
secondary and college levels. She earned her bachelor’s of arts in English and a
master’s of arts in speech and drama from the Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C., and a master’s of arts in liberal studies and religion from
Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Purchase, NY.

From 1960 to 1967, she directed the SSJ-TOSF formation
program. She was elected president of the congregation in 1968 and held that office
for two terms until 1976. As Congregational Historian from 1977 to 1993, Sister
Josephine Marie researched and wrote Volumes 1 and 2 of “A Fitting Response,”
the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis.

She resided at St. Joseph Motherhouse since 1982 and retired
from active ministry in 1993.

Survivors include one sister, Sister Barbara Jean, SSJ-TOSF,
Stevens Point; one brother, Henry G. Peplinski of Milwaukee; nieces, nephews
and the Sisters of St. Joseph – TOSF. She was preceded in death by her parents;
two brothers, Brother Aloysius, OFM, Brother Herman Joseph. OFM; two sisters,
Sister Alphonse, SSJ-TOSF, Sister Bernadette, SSJ-TOSF; and her sister-in-law,
Sue Peplinski.

Memorials may be offered to the Sisters of St.
Joseph-TOSF.  Pisarski Funeral Home is
honored to be serving the family and the Sisters of St Joseph-TOSF. Online
condolences may be offered by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis
are grateful for the compassionate care given to Sister Josephine Marie by the
staffs of the Portage County Health Care Center and Ministry Hospice. God bless
you!