Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Kiliana Burghauser was born in Regensburg, Bavaria, and came to America in 1891 at the age of 18. While working in Superior, Wisconsin, she was acquainted with the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and became interested in joining. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1919 at the age of 19. She served her community for 58 years as an art teacher at schools in Iowa, Wisconsin and Washington.

Wood carving was Sister Kiliana’s specialty and St. Francis of Assisi was her main source of inspiration. Today her scenes of St. Francis with birds are still displayed at St. Rose Convent. In the early 1930’s, she established a School of Art for children under 12. This later became the Preparatory School of Viterbo’s Art Department under the direction of Sister Patrice Halligan. Sister Kiliana retired to St. Rose Convent in 1968 and to Villa St. Joseph in 1978. She spent a total of 39 years at St. Rose Convent. She passed away at the Villa at the age of 93.