Memorial Services for Sister Joan Reichelt

Sister Joan Reichelt, 84, Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, died February 26, 2023, at Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls, SD. Memorial Mass, 10:30 AM Saturday, March 11, 2023, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Sioux Falls, with visitation one hour prior to service. Liturgical Wake Service, 6:00 PM, Friday, March 10, 2023, with visitation one hour prior at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Inurnment at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Aberdeen, SD will be at a future date. Links to view the Wake Service will be available at www.georgeboom.com

Mary Joan was born August 18, 1938, to Grace (Frisby) and Orville Reichelt and grew up on a farm near Tea, SD. She graduated from Mount Marty High School in Yankton. She entered Presentation Convent on September 4, 1955, and professed vows August 10, 1958, receiving her religious name of Sister Brian.

She graduated from Northern State University in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree and ministered as a registered medical technologist at several Catholic hospitals, including Mitchell and Sioux Falls. In 1982 she received a nursing degree from Presentation College, ministering six years as an RN before being named Director of Mission Effectiveness at St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen. Sister Joan was called to Presentation Sisters’ congregational leadership from 1990-1998.

The late 1990s were a pivotal time, when the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters began to move toward greater collaboration for the oversight of their respective health systems. As a member of the Presentation Health System board, Sr. Joan helped the board reorganize and prepare for this change.

In 1998, Sr. Joan began working as Chief Culture Officer at Avera and remained in that post until her retirement in 2022. She served with the Avera System Members, the top leadership entity of Avera, for 20 years and was a founding member of the Avera Leaders in Ministry program, established for ministry formation of Avera leaders.

Sister Joan was loved and revered by many. The words: wise, joyful, peaceful, witty, reflective, mentor, keen listener, down-to-earth, dedicated and kind are just a few used to describe her quiet presence.

She is survived by her family of Presentation Sisters and her siblings: Rodney (Carol) Reichelt, Janet (Dan) Wald and Steven Reichelt; six nephews, one niece; and many friends and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Jo Reichelt and three nephews.

Memorials may be directed to the Avera Foundation (P.O. Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117) to support the Nano Nagle Endowment.