Sister Janice Koelzer died September 1, 2016, at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS. She was 82 years old and a Sister of St. Joseph for 63 years.  She was born in Seneca, KS, on June 20, 1934, to Urban and Georgiena Hogue Koelzer, the youngest of five children, and was baptized Janice Mary Koelzer.  She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, Concordia, KS on February 2, 1953.  On August 14, 1953, Janice received the habit of the Sisters of St. Joseph and was given the name Sister Mary Jacinta, later returning to her baptismal name Janice.  She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1954, and final vows on August 15, 1957.

Sister Janice earned her bachelor of nursing degree from Marymount College in Salina, and then a master's in nursing from Marquette University in Milwaukee and a master's in pediatric nursing at the University of Florida at Gainesville. In 1959, she began a 24-year career at Marymount in nursing education.  In 1983, she shifted to pastoral ministry and served at Seven Dolors Parish in Manhattan, KS, for several years.

In 1988, she moved to Kansas City, KS, where she founded the Duchesne Clinic. After establishing that clinic for the homeless and poor, she managed it until 1994 when she returned to Concordia.

Sister Janice was preceded in death by her parents, one brother and one sister. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Jerrie Smith of Lakewood, CO and Jo Richards of Beloit, KS.  A Bible Vigil Service will be held September 2 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nazareth Motherhouse Chapel with Sister Marilyn Wall as the eulogist.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be September 3 at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel with Fr. Damien Richards and Fr. James Hoover presiding.  The burial will be in the Nazareth Motherhouse Cemetery.  Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6 ^th St., Concordia, KS is in charge of arrangements.  Memorials for Sister Janice Koelzer 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.