Sister Lillian Gehlen, 84, died Feb. 13, 2024 at the Dominican Sisters of Peace motherhouse in Great Bend. She was born Aug. 19, 1939, in St. Leo, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Helen Youngers Gehlen. She entered the Dominican Sisters community in 1956 and pronounced vows in 1959. This year marks her 65th year of religious profession.

Sister Lillian began her ministry as a nurse, serving in Great Bend, Kan., and Lamar, Colo. A call to missionary service took her to Nigeria in 1965 where she served for the next 29 years. She returned to the states in 1994 and continued her nursing service. She also served as chaplain at Villa Maria Home in Mulvane. 

Sister Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Alphons and Edward; and her sister Alma Weber. She is survived by brothers Arnold and Ray; sisters Dolores Hudson, Catherine Wooten, Virginia Horn, and Elizabeth Mosiman; several nieces and nephews; as well as the Dominican Sisters of Peace.  

A Wake Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20.  Both will take place at the Sisters’ Convent. Burial will be in the Sisters’ Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Sister Lillian may be sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219-2098. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.  

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 17, 2024