Sister Evelyn Thillen -- Rochester

Sister Evelyn Thillen (Sister Rayner), 92, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, died at Assisi Heights on Monday, March 18, 2019.

Evelyn Appolonia Thillen was born Jan. 15, 1927, in Caledonia, to John and Appolonia (Welscher) Thillen. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1947 from Saint Peter Parish in Caledonia. Sister Evelyn made first vows in 1949 and perpetual vows in 1952. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the College of St. Teresa, Winona, in 1963.

Sister Evelyn was a primary teacher for 41 years. She taught in several Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Winona; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Easton; Holy Trinity, Rollingstone; St. Gabriel, Fulda; St. Francis, Rochester; and St. Mary, Owatonna. She also taught at St. Peter School, Delano; St. Andrew the Apostle, Silver Spring, Md., and St. Raphael School, Springfield. From 1991 to 2002, Sister Evelyn resided at Tau Center, Winona, where she served as Sacristan, Receptionist and Book Store Manager. She retired to Assisi Heights in 2002.

Sister Evelyn is survived by her Franciscan Congregation with whom she shared life for 72 years; and several in-laws, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Valery and John Thillen; and four sisters, Laurayne Vick, Melba Privet, Carol Scheiber, Fern Richards and Esther Felton.

A Prayer Vigil with Sharing of Memories will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24, in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes at Assisi Heights. The funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 25, in Lourdes Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Suite 100 Rochester, MN 55901.