This web site is a memorial to those individuals who were passionate about the reform of the
Roman Catholic liturgy as set forth in Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
and who now, in eternal life, worship the God whom they served in this life.

Jane Klimisch, OSB

Jane Klimisch, OSB
August 22, 1920 - May 24, 2010


Jane Julia Klimisch was born August 22, 1920, a few minutes before her twin, Clara, to Anton and Martha (Block) Klimisch on the family farm in the Sigel community near Yankton. She attended Klimisch School (District #48), Lesterville High School and then Mount Marty Academy where she graduated in 1938.

Jane entered Sacred Heart Monastery on August 28, 1938, was invested as a novice the following June, and received her baptismal name as her religious name. She made her first monastic profession in June of 1940 and final profession in June of 1943. She earned a BA degree from Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana; a Master’s in Music Education from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago; and a Ph.D. in musicology from Washington University in Saint Louis.

Music and education were major ministries for Sr. Jane. She taught at Mount Marty College for over forty years, retiring with the rank of professor emeritus. She also served the college as academic dean and college archivist and established the Sacred Music Resource Center to collect and preserve important publications of Gregorian Chant.

Sr. Jane was a gifted musician who composed hundreds of pieces of liturgical music and served as monastery organist and choir director for 31 years. She continued as an organist until a few weeks before her death. She authored The One Bride, a book on the nature of religious life, and Women Gathering, the history of the Federation of Saint Gertrude. She also co-authored Travelers on the Way of Peace (volumes I and II) for the 75th and 100th anniversary of the monastery.

Sr. Jane was active in the Benedictine Musicians of America, the American Benedictine Academy, the American Musicological Society, the American Guild of Organists, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Sr. Jane was a gentle woman of wisdom who loved her prairie roots, who never lost her child-like awe of the beauties of creation, and who was friend, mentor and spiritual companion to many.

Tribute prepared by the Benedictine Sisters of Yankton, Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton, SD.