Sister Colleen Waterman, OSF

Sister Colleen Waterman, 92, a Franciscan Sister of the Congregation of Our Lady of Lourdes, Rochester, Minnesota, died at Assisi Heights on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Colleen Carole (Moore) Waterman was born on May 31, 1934, in Rockwell City, Iowa, to Richard Moore and Evelyn (Gidel) Moore Waterman. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1956, and made perpetual vows in 1961.

Sister Colleen Waterman devoted her life to compassionate service through healthcare and community ministry. Following her profession as a Franciscan Sister, she began her nursing ministry at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. From 1958 to 1959, she served as a Staff Nurse, followed by service as Head Nurse in General Surgery (1959–1960), Day Supervisor in General Surgery (1960–1961), Relief Supervisor (1961–1962), and Supervisor of Post-Operative Cardiac Care, Intensive Care, and Intermediate and Convalescent Care (1962–1964). After continuing her nursing vocation as Night Supervisor from 1966 to 1968, Sister Colleen brought her gifts of leadership, compassion, and attentive care to countless patients and healthcare colleagues.

In 1968, Sister Colleen answered a new call to ministry in Charleston, South Carolina, where she served through Catholic Charities for more than four decades, where she served as Co-Coordinator and then Coordinator of Echo House and Neighborhood House from 1992 to until her retirement in 2009. Throughout her years, Sister Colleen faithfully served the Charleston community with compassion, hope, and Franciscan hospitality. After retiring, Sister Colleen returned to Assisi Heights, where she continued to serve through prayer ministry.

Survivors of Sister Colleen Waterman include her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared life for 70 years; cousins, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A Resurrection Liturgy will be held at Assisi Heights at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery. To view the funeral via live stream, go to www.rochesterfrancisan.org.

Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Francis, Office of Donor Relations, Assisi Heights, 1001 14th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901