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March 30, 2026Sister Vera Meis died March 28, 2026 at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 86 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 61 years. She was born in Weskan, KS, on June 27, 1939 to William and Elizabeth Schmidt Meis, the third of seven children, and was baptized Vera Louise Meis. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS, on September 8, 1963. On August 15, 1964, Vera received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Rose Victor, later changing back to her baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on August 14, 1965 and final vows on August 15, 1970.
Sister Vera received a BA degree in Theology in 1971 from Marymount College, Salina, KS. From 1966-1972 she taught in Gladstone, MI; then from 1973-1977 she was pastoral minister in Grand Island, NE. In 1977 she began her ministry of chaplain at Valley Hope Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in Norton, KS. One special joy was starting a new Valley Hope Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center in Parker, CO, which she did from 1989-1995. Sister Vera was elected as regional coordinator of the Congregation in 1995. After her term was over, she served in Scottsbluff, NE and Mitchell, NE as pastoral minister. In February, 2023, she retired to the Motherhouse.
Sister Vera was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and one sister. She is survived by two brothers, Fred Meis in Minden, NE and Milton in Shelby, MT. A Bible Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. March 31 in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Loretta Jasper as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be April 1 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Fr. Barry Brinkman presiding with Father Vince Parsons as concelebrant. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Chaput-Buoy Mortuary, 325 W. 6th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements. Memorials for Sister Vera Meis may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.