Sister Joanne Kollasch, OSB | 1930-2025
MIDDLETON – Sister Joanne, age 95, died peacefully at Sauk Prairie Hospital on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Joanne was born on September 24, 1930, the seventh of nine children to Charles R. and Anna M. (Laubenthal) Kollasch in Whittemore, Iowa. She attended the parish school, Presentation Academy, graduating in 1948. Four years later, a time she often referred to as her “social maturing,” she entered the Sisters of Saint Benedict, Sioux City, Iowa. Because the community was in the process of moving the motherhouse to Madison, Wis., the sisters determined her novitiate would be at Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, S.D. In 1954, she made her first monastic profession at Saint Benedict Priory, Madison, Wis., followed by nurses training at St. Vincent Hospital, Sioux City, Iowa.
Mid-way through nursing school Joanne was asked to substitute teach for a sister who had become ill. Following a conversation with her brother, Father Eugene Kollasch, SJ, who suggested she be open to the experience of teaching, and finding teaching much to her liking, she asked to terminate nursing and pursue teaching.
After graduate studies at Marquette University and the University of Notre Dame, Joanne worked and prayed at the monastery in Madison for the remainder of her life. She served as Formation Director, Principal of the high school and from 1967-1977 and 1989-1993 as the prioress of the community. When people commented on her many years in one place, she was quick to recount her blessing of worldwide travel which she believed helped her keep a perspective on the resources and needs of her small community and those of the world.
During her time as prioress, Joanne worked along with the sisters to establish a life-giving ratio between the community’s ministries and community living. In 1966, the sisters closed the school and opened St. Benedict Center, a retreat and conference facility, followed by the transfer of health care institutions in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1980 the sisters initiated new forms of community life at the monastery with the title “Community for the 80s.” She was a founding member of the Community of Benedict, a community of lay people and sisters, Christian and Hindu, that lasted for 20 years. This experience of community opened Joanne’s heart to receive immigrants and refugees from India, Guatemala, Vietnam and China who lived with the sisters for various lengths of time.
Community life was the heart of Joanne’s work and prayer. With her joy, hope and hospitality, she welcomed friend and stranger alike. Her enthusiasm for community helped motivate Holy Wisdom’s outreach in forming the present community of communities. One of Joanne’s phrases worthy of quoting: “There are many doors to enter Holy Wisdom Monastery. One need only find the door that suits one best.”
Sister Joanne is survived by her sisters, E. Dolores Kollasch, Algona, Iowa, and Mrs. Irene M. (Kollasch) Bormann, Bode, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Louis J. Kollasch of Whittemore, Iowa, the Rev. Eugene Kollasch, SJ, Arnold Kollasch and Clem Kollasch of Whittemore, Iowa; Sister Anne Marie, PBVM of Dubuque, Iowa, and sister, Caroline (Kollasch) Bormann of Bode, Iowa.
A memorial service was held at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, Wis., on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 3:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Benedictine Women of Madison.