A spiritual homecoming: 3M retiree becomes Catholic

By Christina Capecchi For The Catholic Spirit

Jan Koelsch finally had the time to explore her spirituality, which led the retired grandma on a journey that culminates this Holy Saturday when she becomes Catholic. Then she’ll celebrate Easter and, two days later, her 66th birthday. “It’s a big week!” said Koelsch, a member of St. Peter in Mendota and a longtime 3M executive assistant.

Q Administrative work requires humility. You work hard behind the scenes to make others look good.

A I enjoyed it. There’s a lot in the background that people don’t understand. Or even just preparing my boss to present at the board meeting, making sure he’s got the right pen and a tie on and no mistakes in his PowerPoint presentations.

He had a whole team under him, and I would get all the questions and comments and complaints from his underlings. Every once in a while, I’d say: “Maybe you should move that person to a different group” or “Maybe you shouldn’t be so hard on that person.” He would take my suggestions to heart.

Q You retired two years ago after 36 years at 3M. What was the impetus?

A I had both knees replaced in 2020, and when it was time to come back, I just thought, “I can’t do this.” I didn’t like working from home (during the COVID-19 pandemic). It was time. I’d had a good run.

I’m happy as a lark right now! In the summertime, I walk. Last year, I walked 2,800 miles. Every time I leave the garage, I start my little run-meter. In the summer my goal is eight to 10 miles a day. I love it! I don’t listen to anything. I just listen to nature. I walk along the river to see the eagles fly and watch the boats.

Q Is walking a spiritual practice?

A Yes. You feel thankful for what we have — for nature, for clean air and clean water. Even on really icky, snowy days, it’s beautiful. That’s what God is giving us.

And for me, growing up as a farmer’s daughter, I know that any bit of precipitation, you thank the Lord for! We had a drought three years in a row, and we had no money, and one day in July the heavens opened up and it poured rain, and my dad stood out in the rain and cried. That was 50 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. I can see him standing in the rain with the striped bib overalls and his green Pioneer seed corn baseball cap.

Q How has your rural upbringing stayed with you?

A I’m not big into TV or screen time. I read a lot, but I like a real book. I go to the library and just smell the pages. I’m kind of odd.

People say, “Get a Kindle!” But I don’t want more screen time. I like to hold the book — “I’m halfway through, I can see my little bookmark.” This whole scrolling thing!

Q Tell me about your faith background.

A My mom grew up Catholic. She was the only one of eight kids and all of my thousands of cousins that left the Catholic Church. She became a Lutheran when she married my dad, who was Lutheran. I grew up Lutheran, but I would go to Mass with my grandma and my aunt ever since I was a little kid. It never left me.

Q Wow!

A It’s been in the back of my mind for many years. I never took enough time to think deeply enough about changing my church.

Being Lutheran just didn’t fulfill me. You’d go to church and there was really no liturgy. You go to a Catholic church, you know what you’re getting. I love the liturgy.

Q Does becoming Catholic feel like a homecoming of sorts?

A Yeah, it does. I’m relieved. I just love it. I can’t wait to go to Mass every Sunday.

Q Was there a turning point?

A I just had a feeling. I drive past St. Peter every day. My son’s name is Peter and when he was little, we’d drive by and he’d say, “Mom, why can’t we go to my church?”

Q What was your first step?

A I’ve been looking into it for quite a while. I’ve listened to some Masses online. One day last spring, I just felt like: I need to go.

I made the switch, and it just felt right. I’ve been welcomed so well. I’ve worked one-on-one with Father Steven (Hoffman), and he gave me all these DVDs of Bishop Robert Barron. Now I’m listening to Father Mike Schmitz’s “Catechism in a Year” podcast. It timed out perfectly for Lent. One of my favorite books is “Catholicism for Dummies.” I have it next to my bed. If I think of something, I just look it up. It tells you in very simple terms.

Q How does it feel to be a student again, to have this new beginning?

A I feel a sense of possibility and also a sense of loss, that I missed out for the last 65 years. I wish I would’ve done this earlier. I think it would’ve been so fun if I was a little girl with a white dress making my first Communion.

I was in the office at 6 in the morning until 6 at night and then online until 10 at night. I didn’t have time for anything. Now I have all this time. I’m a sponge. I started reading again and finding different ways to broaden me.

At first, I felt guilty that I wasn’t doing something. But I got over that. I decided I’m just going to focus on me and having fun and enjoying my family. It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders.

Q I bet you feel it!

A My health has improved. I’d go to the doctor (before retirement) and my blood pressure would be through the roof. She’d say, “Stress is killing you!”

Q What’s next for you?

A I’d like to start traveling. I want to go to the Holy Land in the worst way!

Q What do you know for sure?

A I know that I’m a child of God. I know that I’m loved by him — and everyone. I know that my sins will be forgiven. I know I do the best I can. I make mistakes, but I try hard.