Cover photo for Sister Mary Frances Kobets's Obituary
Sister Mary Frances Kobets Profile Photo
1942 Sister 2018

Sister Mary Frances Kobets

March 19, 1942 — June 29, 2018

Sister Mary Frances (Fran) Kobets died suddenly on June 29, 2018 In Gweru, Zimbabwe. She was 76 years old and had been a Maryknoll Sister for 58 years. Fran was born on March 19, 1942 in Kansas City, KS to Delores (Gardner) Kobets and Godfrey S. Kobets. She had one brother, Thomas, a nephew, Brian, and nieces, Rebecca, Mary, and Teresa. Her parents predeceased her.
Fran attended St. Francis Xavier School and the went on to graduate from Loretto Academy in Kansas City, MO in 1959. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Valley Park, MO that same year. At her Reception, she received the religious name Sister M. Frances Assisi. She made her First Profession of Vows in Valley Park, MO on August 22, 1962 and her Final Vows on June 24, 1968, also in Valley Park. From 1962-1963, she attended Maryknoll Teachers College in Maryknoll, NY; while studying she also worked in their purchasing department until 1966. Sister Fran, then attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Economics and Animal Husbandry in 1969. She was one of the first two women to receive this degree at the university.
Sister Frans first overseas assignment was to Makoko, Tanzania. She studied the Swahili language and worked at the Ministry of Agriculture/Institute at Nygezi, teaching agriculture and animal production from 1969-1978.
In 1978, she returned to the United States to attend Kansas State University once again; this time to earn a Masters of Science Degree in Applied Animal Science and Industry in 1980. Sister Fran was the assigned to Zimbabwe in 1982. There, she taught Agriculture at the Teachers College, became Head of their Agriculture Department and Supervisor in the farm and production unit from 1982-1989. Sister Fran spend the next 36 years in Zimbabwe working in various roles such as; agriculture, teaching, and supporting HIV/AIDS orphans. She founded the organization OEAS (Orphans Education and Agriculture Support) in 2001; which focuses on helping HIV/AIDS orphans and children at risk in the areas of Zimbabwe with the greatest needs.
On October 7, 2011 the Department of Agriculture Economics of Kansas State University presented her with The Distinguished Agricultural Economics Alumnus Award. Sister Fran remained very active in her mission work in Zimbabwe with OEAS up until her death.
A Mass will be held on July 27, 2018 at 10 a.m. with visitation prior to Mass at Saint Thomas More Church, 11822 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. She was buried in Zimbabwe where she had passed away. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, P.O. Box 311, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0311.
Visitation St. Thomas More Church

Friday, July 27, 2018

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM

11822 Holmes RoadKansas City, MO 64131
Directions Memorial Mass St. Thomas More Church

Friday, July 27, 2018

10:00 AM

11822 Holmes RoadKansas City, MO 64131
Directions

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