The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth mourn the loss of Sister Virginia Flanick, 97, who died on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Ross Hall at the Mother House, Leavenworth, Kansas.   We also celebrate her entrance into God’s full embrace.   She faithfully served the people of God as a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth for 78 years.

      Virginia Flanick was born on Oct. 27, 1918 in Butte, Montana, the youngest of eight children of Matthew and Anna Mravinec (Marvin) Flanick.   She attended Holy Savior and Harrison Public Grade Schools and graduated from Girls Central High School, Butte, Montana.   She entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on Aug. 14, 1938 and, as S. Mary Stanislaus Flanick, made her profession of vows on March 2, 1940.   She later returned to the use of her baptismal name.

      Sister Virginia was an outstanding educator and taught first or first and second graders for 50 years in the KC area, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Montana, and California.   Sts. Peter and Paul Grade School, Falls City, Nebraska was her last teaching assignment.   In 1991 she began doing volunteer work at the Mother House and Ross Hall in transportation.   She was at St. John Hospital in Santa Monica for a year until the earthquake of 1994, when she returned to the Mother House.   Until 2003, Sister Virginia drove daily to KCK to minister to the sick and homebound of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady and St. Rose parishes.   Sister Virginia received a B.S. in Education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, KS.

      Survivors include many cousins, nieces, nephews and her SCL Community.

      A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth where friends may call after 4 p.m.   The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 5.   Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the Mother House grounds.   R. L. Leintz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.   Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 South 4th St., Leavenworth, Kansas 66048.

      Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com.

Published in the Montana Standard on July 29, 2016