May 19, 1916 – May 1, 1998
She joined the Benedictine Sisters in Cottonwood, ID, on February 9, 1934, and made her Monastic Profession there in 1936. On her 60th Jubilee in 1996, Sister Coletta said, “I am grateful and thankful I am still here, still alive, in the community. God is good.”
Sister Coletta (Bardella Bridget) Weiand, 82 died of cancer at the Monastery of St. Gertrude, Cottonwood, ID, on May 1, 1998. She was born in Beulah, ND, on May 19, 1916, to Nicholas and Catherine (Skalsky) Weiand, the sixth of eleven children.
She worked in domestic arts for 16 years at St. Gertrude’s; Our Lady of Consolation Hospital, Cottonwood; and St. Martin’s College, Lacey, WA. Then she enjoyed eight years of ministry at St. Valentine’s Hospital, Wendell, ID; St. Benedicts Family Medical Center, Jerome, ID; St. Gertrude’s Academy and St. Mary’s Hospital, Cottonwood, ID. Her last 25 years of active ministry were spent teaching in Catholic schools in Genesee, Ferdinand, Cottonwood, Grangeville, and Boise, ID. After retiring from teaching in 1984, Sr. Coletta served at the monastery as sacristan, seamstress, and coordinator of the arts and crafts store.
Sister Coletta will be remembered by many as an energetic woman with innovative ideas, very devoted to her family, to the sisters, and to the people with whom she worked; and as faithful to prayer, interested in many things, eager for good conversation and a laugh.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Ida I, Florence, Antonia, Ida II, and her brothers Leo, Clemence, Raymond, and Donald. She is survived by her sisters Claudia Sada of Cleveland, OH, and Marjorie Prest of West Mifflin, PA, and by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
A Vigil Service for her was held in the chapel at the Monastery of St. Gertrude on Sunday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m. The Presider was Rev. Norbert Lemke, S.J., Chaplain at the Monastery. Reflections were given by Sister Mary Kay Henry, Prioress at the Monastery.