SINSINAWA — Sister Barbara Tilkens, OP (Adella), died Aug. 30, 2013, at St. Dominic Villa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Sept. 6, 2013, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Barbara made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Feb. 4, 1953, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1958. She taught for 19 years, served in administration for two years, and ministered as support staff for 16 years and as a chaplain for 13 years. Sister Barbara served in South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Illinois, Montana, Alabama, and Iowa.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Barbara served as the administrator of Dominican Education Center, Sinsinawa, 1972-1974.
Sister Barbara was born Oct. 22, 1931, in Green Bay, Wis., the daughter of Orville and Della (Chappelle) Tilkens. Her parents preceded her in death. She is survived by two sisters, Shirley Lally and Mary Crittenden; two brothers, James Tilkens and Thomas Tilkens; nieces; nephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared life for 60 years.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org by clicking on “Donate Now,” then “Honor and Memorial Gift.”
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Helen are available online at www.Sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.