 Sister Pat Koehn, daughter of Raymond and Margaret (Nuesslein) Koehn, was born in Milwaukee,
WI, archdiocese of Milwaukee, on December 22, 1946. She entered the Congregation September
13, 1964 in Milwaukee, and entered the novitiate August 12, 1965. She made her First Vows August
13, 1967 and Final Vows August 1, 1976 both in Milwaukee, WI.
After graduation from Mother of Good Counsel grade school, Sister Pat attended Divine Savior
High School before entering the Congregation. For her undergraduate BA degree she studied at
Marquette University in Milwaukee and received her MS degree in Special Education from the
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Her inquisitive mind never allowed her to stop learning as
evidenced by the many workshops and seminars she attended to further her knowledge and
expertise in Special Education. Sister Pat felt drawn to serve in the Southwest region where there
are many Hispanics, so in the early '90's she was given opportunities for study to become
acquainted with the Mexican culture and the Spanish language. For this she attended classes in
Cuernavaca and Sonora, Mexico. Sister Pat's love for and dedication to the teaching profession took her to many places. She taught
elementary grades at St. Pius, Wauwatosa, St. Anthony's, Milwaukee, and two public schools, but
the greater part of her rich career was in caring for and teaching children with special needs. This
was her ministry at St. Aemilian's and St. Francis Activity and Achievement Center in Milwaukee
and in the public school system in Phoenix, AZ. Most recently, Sister Pat spent 10 years as a
Homebound/Tele-teacher in the Homebound Teleteaching Program in Tucson, AZ. This program
serves 3-22 year olds who are ill, disabled, at risk special education students or those in need of an
alternative to a school suspension program. Sister Pat did her teaching either on an interactive
telephone system, or in the home, sometimes on cable television and at times in the hospital or a
health care facility. This unique form of education demanded lots of flexibility and presented many
challenges. "There is such a diversity of people (among my students) all with differing needs.
Some of them who are coping with serious physical and emotional difficulties are so courageous
and inspiring" Sister Pat once said. If anyone spoke with her about her ministry, you could not miss
that she talked with a compassionate heart for those whom she served. Sister Pat had a great zest for LIFE. She was energized by her full time ministry, but also by her
work with the global Food Bank begun by two Lay Salvatorians in California. Her zeal for this
ministry prompted her and a generous Lay Salvatorian, Jan Izlar, to setup an extension of this
ministry in Tucson. She was an active and contributing member of the Southwest SDS region
taking an active part in discussions, book reflections, prayer sessions, parties and community
celebrations.
In a reflection paper Sister Pat wrote before her final vows in 1976, she said: "Rooted in the love of
Christ and other persons, I choose religious life with its uncertainty…its changing life style of being
able to let go when necessary…In this openness to the unfolding future, I can identify with the
butterfly who is fragile, changing and in process. If I become rooted in Christ, I will grow as a
person who builds right relationships and celebrates life in community and in ministry". On March 16, 2005, Sister Pat was taken from her school to the hospital in Tucson where tests
showed that she had a rapidly growing brain tumor. About a week later, so that she could be near
her family, friends and community, she agreed it would be better to be transferred to St. Joseph's
Hospital, Milwaukee. During her radiation and chemotherapy, she resided at St. Anne's Home on
the St. Anne's Salvatorian campus. In spite of these treatments, Sister Pat was transferred to Ruth
Hospice June 6, 2005.
Many friends, family members, Salvatorian Sisters, and Lay visited her
there, singing and praying with her. Early on June 23rd, Sister Pat gave over her life to the Lord, whom she had served with lively
enthusiasm and dedication for 38 years as a professed sister of the Divine Sisters, at the age of
58. Three friends and Sister Marion Etzel, Provincial, were with her when she died. Sister Pat is
survived by her mother, Margaret Kolanko, her sisters Carole (James) Esser, Jan (Steve)
Geiss, and Judy (Raymond) Nauer, nieces and nephews and many Sisters of the Divine Savior and other
members of the Salvatorian Family. May she now rejoice in Eternal life with all the angels and saints.
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