Brother Edward Foken CSC

 

Brother Edward R. Foken, age 79, died on January 12, 2021 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN.  He was born in Norwood, OH on February 15, 1941 to William G. Foken and Helen (Brinkmyer) Foken.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Elizabeth Parish in Norwood and graduated from St.

Elizabeth Elementary School in Cincinnati, OH in 1955.  Graduating from Purcell High School in Cincinnati in 1959, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross as a postulant at Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, WI in August of the same year.  Brother Edward received the habit of the Brothers of Holy Cross in January 1960 at St. Joseph Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, IN making first vows in 1961 with his final profession of vows in 1964.

 

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1964, Brother Edward was assigned to teach at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL.  In 1968 he was transferred to Catholic Central High School in Monroe, MI. From 1971 through 1979 he ministered in Monrovia, Liberia at St. Patrick High School first, as a teacher and then, as the principal for six years.  Returning to the States in 1979 he participated in a year-long renewal program in Santa Fe, NM.  After one year at Saint Edward’s High School, he returned to Monrovia as the superintendent of school for three years.  In 1984 he began his longest assignment of 28 years as a teacher and moderator of student government at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, IN.  During his time at St. Joe HS, he was also the assistant director of the Schubert/Dujarié brothers’ community in Holy Cross Village and was also a member of the Holy Cross Associates from 2015-2019.  From 2019 until his death, Brother Edward was a resident at Columba Hall.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents.  His youngest brother Vincent, lives in Cincinnati, OH and his oldest brother James, with his wife Pat, live in Eagleville, Tennessee.   There are also several nephews living around the United States and a niece, Kira Foken, living in Germany. 

Visitation was held on Saturday, January 23, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Saint Joseph Chapel on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. The Mass of Resurrection followed at 11:00 with interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of the Village.  

Members of the Class of ’72 have many fond memories of Brother Edward especially his support in the production of our senior class play “Odellie’s Choice, English Literature’s Mcmillion, Public Speaking Sessions, and many more.

 

 

Brother Edward R. Foken, age 79, died on January 12, 2021 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN.  He was born in Norwood, OH on February 15, 1941 to William G. Foken and Helen (Brinkmyer) Foken.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Elizabeth Parish in Norwood and graduated from St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Cincinnati, OH in 1955.  Graduating from Purcell High School in Cincinnati in 1959, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross as a postulant at Sacred Heart Juniorate in Watertown, WI in August of the same year.  Brother Edward received the habit of the Brothers of Holy Cross in January 1960 at St. Joseph Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, IN making first vows in 1961 with his final profession of vows in 1964.

 

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1964, Brother Edward was assigned to teach at Holy Cross High School in River Grove, IL.  In 1968 he was transferred to Catholic Central High School in Monroe, MI. From 1971 through 1979 he ministered in Monrovia, Liberia at St. Patrick High School first, as a teacher and then, as the principal for six years.  Returning to the States in 1979 he participated in a year-long renewal program in Santa Fe, NM.  After one year at Saint Edward’s High School, he returned to Monrovia as the superintendent of school for three years.  In 1984 he began his longest assignment of 28 years as a teacher and moderator of student government at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, IN.  During his time at St. Joe HS, he was also the assistant director of the Schubert/Dujarié brothers’ community in Holy Cross Village and was also a member of the Holy Cross Associates from 2015-2019.  From 2019 until his death, Brother Edward was a resident at Columba Hall.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents.  His youngest brother Vincent, lives in Cincinnati, OH and his oldest brother James, with his wife Pat, live in Eagleville, Tennessee.   There are also several nephews living around the United States and a niece, Kira Foken, living in Germany. 

Visitation was held on Saturday, January 23, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Saint Joseph Chapel on the grounds of Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. The Mass of Resurrection followed at 11:00 with interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of the Village.  

Members of the Class of ’72 have many fond memories of Brother Edward, especially his support in the production of our senior class play, “Odellie’s Choice, English Literature’s Mcmillion, Public Speaking Sessions, and many more.

It has been 49 years since we sat in class at St Patrick's High School, but, for most of us, the impressions made by Brother Edward are indelible. May His Soul, and the souls of all our endeared departed, rest in perfect peace. Amen!