Sister Ann Busch Passes Away

The is mourning the loss of Sister Ann Busch.

Busch, the former Principal of St. Anne Catholic School, passed away Sunday, Sept. 9. Busch had been fighting complications and pain following a series of back surgeries. She entered Hospice care not long ago, but her death still comes as a shock to those who knew her.

“She was just a fantastic woman. What a loss,” said St. Anne Principal Dawn Kapka. “It’s still without a doubt shocking and sad.”

School staff issued a letter to parents regarding Busch’s passing on Sunday.

“We do know that she has been in great pain since her three surgeries two months ago and that other health complications were revealed as she recovered over these last weeks. Sister did experience relief from her pain over the last week and we are told that she passed away very peacefully today,” the letter read.

She spent 50 years in education, teaching every grade except for Kindergarten. Busch was loved by many in the community, especially the children who’s lives she touched for so long.

“The children are doing well, they are celebrating her life. They came really in good form and in good spirits on Monday, and we held her up in our morning prayer. We want to remember her for the vibrant faith filled religious woman that sister is,” Kapka said.

Funeral arrangements for Busch are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 13 at St. Jospeh Convent, 1501 South Layton Blvd., Milwaukee. A wake will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow.  St. Anne School will be closed on Thursday to honor her as she's laid to rest. 

A memorial mass for Busch will be held at St. Anne on Oct. 4. Details for the service are still being assembled.

The St. Anne community hopes Busch will be remembered for the loving, religious woman that she was.

“I had the privilege of knowing her for over 10 years, she was my mentor,” Kapka said. “Sister just came with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She was a woman of such grace and dignity.”

Leave your condolences for Busch and the St. Anne Catholic Community in the comments section below.