Sister Francine Balster, 98, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, MN, died at Assisi Heights on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Sister Francine was born Dorothy Evelyn Balster on June 27, 1925, in Wilmont, Minnesota, to Frank and Anna (Lenz) Balster. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1945, received the name of Sister Francine, and made perpetual vows in 1950. She received her Master's in Elementary School Administration from Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota, in 1964. Sister Francine served as an elementary and intermediate teacher for forty-six years in Minnesota and a little time in Ohio. After teaching, she served in the ministry of care at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Austin, Minnesota, before her retirement and move to Assisi Heights in 2018.

Survivors of Sister Francine include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 79 years, her brother Richard Balster, her sister Marie Vortherms, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Kathleen Jueneman.

A Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery.

To view the funeral, go to www.rochesterfranciscan.org. Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Mission Advancement, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901.