Sister Joseph Ann Vap died February 26, 2010 at Nazareth Motherhouse in Concordia, KS. She was 78 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 58 years. She was born in Atwood, KS on May 11, 1931 to Joseph and Anna Kacirek Vap, the third of nine children, and was baptized Winifred Sylvia Henrietta. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on February 5, 1951. On August 15, 1951, Winifred received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Joseph Ann. She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1952 and final vows on August 15, 1955.

In 1955 Sister Joseph Ann received her diploma from Marymount College School of Nursing in Salina and then took State Boards to become a registered nurse. She served in hospitals staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Concordia, Seneca and Sabetha, KS and devoted 37 years as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital in Belvidere, IL. She retired to Medaille Center, Salina, KS in 1999. In 2008 she moved to Nazareth Motherhouse.

Sister Joseph Ann was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters. She is survived by one sister, Geraldine Lane, Topeka, KS and two brothers, Leo Vap of Stillwell, KS and Eugene Vap of Midlothian, VA. A Bible Vigil Service will be (was) held February 28, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Pat McLennon as the eulogist. The Mass of Christian Burial will be (was) March 1, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Rev. Jack Schlaf presiding. The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery. Memorials for Sister Joseph Ann Vap may be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph Health Care/ Retirement Fund or the Apostolic Works of the Sisters; P.O Box 279, Concordia, KS 66901.