Sr. Jean Treba

1942 - 2025

Sister Jean Michael Treba, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 83, died on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, Wisc. She was in the 59th year of her religious profession.

Patricia Marie Treba was born on October 26, 1942, in Ashland, Wisc., the youngest of 15 children, to Charles and Helen (Biesik) Treba. Her father died in an accident four months before she was born. She was raised by her mother and her older brother Chester who had just returned from military service. She attended Holy Family Grade School and De Padua High School in Ashland. After graduation, she worked in Milwaukee until followed a call she had felt for years-to become a religious sister. She was given the name Sister Jean Michael. She made her first profession of religious vows as an FSPA on August 12, 1966.

She began her ministry teaching mathematics in upper grades in Wisconsin at Colby, Stanley and Wausau. From 1968 through 1970, she also served as principal of the schools in Stanley and Wausau. Sister Jean Michael ministered as an assistant group mother at St. Michael's Orphanage in La Crosse from 1970 to 1972. She continued her education, which opened up a variety of ministry opportunities. She received a bachelor's degree in sociology, with minors in math and psychology, from Viterbo College (University). Subsequently, she went on to receive a Master of Science in Education degree in school psychology and counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She served as a school psychologist and counselor in Sheboygan Falls, Wisc. before ministering as teacher and school counselor at Bishop Baumgartner Junior High School in Guam for three years. When she returned to Wisconsin, she continued as teacher and school counselor in Superior and Thorp until 1984. She served as counselor, teacher and librarian at Sacred Heart Elementary School-a mission school for African American students-in Camden, Miss. from 1984 to 1991. At that time, she was appointed Director of Temporary Professed Sisters for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. During her time as director, she also taught part time at St. Luke School in Plain, Wisc. In 1998, Sister Jean Michael was elected as Mission Councilor for the FSPA for two terms. From 2008 to 2012, she served as administrator at Villa St. Joseph, the community's retirement home on St. Joseph's Ridge, east of La Crosse. For the next four years, Sister Jean Michael served as a volunteer for various charitable groups in the La Crosse area. In 2016, she moved to St. John, Kan. where she served as a religious presence doing various church ministries at St. John Parish and throughout the area. Due to cancer and heart problems, Sister Jean Michael moved to St. Rose Convent in the fall of 2023.

Sister Jean Michael is survived by her Franciscan community, her sisters: Helen Duquaine of Milwaukee and Mary Lou (Ron) Welton of Chicago; and two brothers: John (Lenore) of Troy, Wisc. and Tom, (Blenda) of Elkhorn, Wisc.; sister-in-law, Katy Treba of St. Francis, Wisc.; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great grandnieces and great grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: Chester, Adam, Charles; and sisters: Esther Larsen, Agnes Delvaux, Clara Pagac, Izabelle Nelson, Eve Treba, Irene Pagelsdorf and Rose Lajcak.

A vigil service will take place for Sister Jean Michael on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at Mary of the Angels Chapel, St. Rose Convent. A virtual sharing will take place that evening at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 11, at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.