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Sister JoAnn Haney is one of six members of the Sisters of Saint Francis, Rochester, MN, who will celebrate their Diamond Jubilee (60 years) with their Congregation on Aug. 11.

Sister JoAnn, formerly Sister Mary Myles, daughter of Almon and Lurena Haney (deceased), was born in Mapleview and spent her childhood in Austin.

She entered the Sisters of Saint Francis Congregation from Queen of Angels, Austin, professing first vows in 1964. Sister JoAnn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Math, from the College of Saint Teresa, Winona, and a Master in Theology in Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Direction, and Retreat Work from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

From 1964-1976, she taught elementary and junior high students at schools in Minnesota, Chicago, Norfolk, Nebraska; and Las Animas, Colorado. In the 1980s, Sister JoAnn moved into campus ministry, serving at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus, and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

From 1996-98, she served as a rector at the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana. Sister JoAnn also served as spiritual director/program director while on staff at Sangre de Cristo Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico (1990-96), and Tau Center in Winona (1998-2002).

From 2000-2004, she served as co-minister of the Common Franciscan Novitiate. For over 10 years, Sister JoAnn served at the former Holy Spirit Retreat Center, Janesville, offering spiritual direction and holding retreats. She also volunteered with the Prison Visitation and Support program at the Waseca Federal Institution.

Most recently, she served as the candidate liaison for Cojourners.

Currently, she resides in Rochester, and continues to offer spiritual direction, both in-person and via Zoom.