In Memory of Sister Pierre Kollasch

April 29, 1924 – March 31, 2019

Sister Mary Pierre Kollasch, 94, daughter of Peter and Gertrude (Koehn) Kollasch, was born Loretta Anne Kollasch on April 29, 1924, in Whittemore, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation on September 15, 1945, and professed her perpetual vows on May 3, 1951. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Loras College in Dubuque in 1957.

Sister Pierre’s ministries took her to Humboldt, Waukon, Clare, Charles City, Mason City, Lawler, Epworth, Bankston, and Dubuque (Resurrection School from 1981-1984), all in Iowa where she taught kindergarten through third grade. In addition to teaching, she served as the coordinator of personal care at Dubuque’s Villa Raphael, retirement home for priests, where she ministered for 15 years. Following that position she came to Mount Loretto as head baker at the motherhouse. This new ministry brought her full circle to her earliest ministry dream to help sisters who served in domestic roles to become more connected to their community. With her box full of delicious recipes, Sister Pierre embodied Nano Nagle’s spirit of hospitality in her dedicated service and loving care for over 70-plus years of religious life.

Sister Pierre retired to Mount Loretto in 2000 and celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2006. She enjoyed baking treats, playing cards, visiting, reading, watching a good movie and participating in community service. In quiet moments she enjoyed her extended prayer time.

Surviving is her brother, Arthur, nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 73 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bernard, and her sisters Alvina Elgersma, and Mary Thompson.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Road, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, or online at www.dbqpbvms.org.