Sister Kathleen Flanagan, OSB, 70, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Monday, April 6, 2026, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Sunday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there Monday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m.
Sister Kathleen was born in Riverside, Cal., to Dennis and Rose Ann Morton Flanagan on January 11, 1956, but spent most of her youth in Denver, Colo., where she delighted in summer work as a camp counselor in the mountains. In 1978, she received a B.A. in education from Benedictine College in Atchison, and would return there to enter the monastic community in 1984. She loved her career as an elementary teacher and school librarian, especially with the youngest readers. After earning a Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University, she became a librarian at Benedictine College, where she served until her unexpected death.
Sister Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents Dennis Flanagan and Rose Ann Flanagan Redmond, and her brothers Richard and Timothy Flanagan. She is survived by her brother James Flanagan (Libby) and sister Maureen Jones, both of Seattle, Wash., sisters-in-law Cheryl Flanagan and Sue Bordelon, nephews, cousins, and her monastic family. Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica.
