Sister Rose Karen Johnson

Sister Rose Karen Johnson, 83, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Jan. 15, 2024, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 66th year of religious life. She was a native of St. Lawrence.

 Ever joyful, Sister Rose Karen was an educator for 29 years, then served in parish ministry and internal ministry. From 1995-2015, she was pastoral associate at St. Joseph Parish in Central City, where her desire to share her faith and spread hospitality resulted in 24 people becoming Ursuline Associates.

She was a teacher and later principal at Mary Carrico School, Knottsville (1969-70, 1971-81) and principal at St. Peter of Alcantara School, Stanley (1981-82), Precious Blood School, Owensboro (1982-83) and St. Mary Magdalene School, Sorgho (1983-85). She also taught or was principal elsewhere in Kentucky and in Missouri. She was a parish minister in Indiana and assistant local superior at Maple Mount (1992-95) before moving to Central City.

Survivors include the members of her religious community; two sisters, Alma Victoria Higdon, Clarkson, and Mary Eveyleen Melton, Cedar Hill, Tenn.; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Damien and Catherine Johnson; and her siblings Gerald Johnson, Frank Johnson, Ursuline Sister Rose Theresa Johnson, Ursuline Sister David Marie Johnson, Stella Howe, Sister of Charity Marie Johnson, Sister of Charity Catherine Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Johnson, Theresa Johnson and Mary Howell.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Wednesday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is in charge of arrangements.

Donations in memory of Sister Rose Karen may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.