Sister Barbara (Columba) Messman, O.P.

Sister Barbara Messman, O.P., 102, passed away at Lakeshore Manor, Racine, WI, on Thursday, January 30, 2014.

Barbara was born January 26, 1912, to John and Anna (nee: Herz) Messman in Cincinnati, OH. On June 22, 1932, she joined the Racine Dominicans, and at her reception in 1933 she was given the religious name Sister Columba. She professed her first vows in 1935 and her final vows in 1941. In 1968 she returned to using her baptismal name, Barbara.

Sister Barbara spent many years in service to others in teaching. She began her ministry in 1932 at St. John, Little Chute, WI. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Mary, Tomah; St. Francis Xavier, Merrill; SS. Peter & Paul; Green Bay; Holy Name, Kimberly; Holy Name, St. Rose, St. Patrick and St. Catherine High School, Racine. She also served in Michigan. From 1972-1978 she was an Ombudsman at St. Luke’s Hospital, Racine. In 1978 she moved to Siena Center and in December 2013 she became a resident at Lakeshore Manor, Racine.

Sister Barbara is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her sister, Eve Bretz; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; and her brothers, John and Peter Messman; and sisters, Elizabeth Ferguson and Magdalen DuRocher.

Visitation will be in the Siena Center Chapel on Tuesday, February 4, beginning at 9 a.m. with a Remembering Service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Fund have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the staff that cared  for Sister Barbara at Lakeshore Manor.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888