Sister of the Living Word Jean C. Krieter, 88, died Nov. 28, 2021.

Born in Evanston, Sister Jean attended St. Gregory and entered the Sisters of Christian Charity after high school. She received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and later went on to complete two master’s degrees.

Sister Jean taught elementary school in Iowa and Illinois, becoming a teacher in the Chicago archdiocesan deaf school program and an instructor of deaf education at Loyola and DePaul universities. She was dean of students and a teacher at Josephinum High School.

In the 1960s she was instrumental in the renewal of her province according to the Second Vatican Council direction. She later was a founding member of the Sisters of the Living Word and served as coordinator of community development. In her later years of ministry, she was head teacher for the Infant Welfare Society’s teen baby nursery in Evanston and ministered at the House of the Good Shepherd in Chicago.

Sister Jean is survived by her sister, Marion Radzik.

Sister Winifred Mary Sullivan, 94, died Dec. 3, 2021, in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, Sister Winifred entered the Sisters of Providence in 1945 and professed final vows in 1953. In her 76 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered for 45 years as a teacher in schools in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and Missouri, serving as principal for seven of those years.  Retiring in 1993, she continued there as a tutor and volunteer. In 2008, she moved to the motherhouse.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Andrew (1948-1950) and Immaculate Conception (1953-1958).

She is survived by a sister, Rita Paitson.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Regina Callahan, 93, died Dec. 5, 2021, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession in 1958. She was a teacher, principal and support staff member in Wisconsin, New York, Illinois and Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Regina taught at St. Sabina (1965-1969); was principal at St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn (1970-1977) and St. Barnabas (1982-1988); and served as administrative assistant at St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School, Lemont (1988-1996). She served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as Southwest Province secretary while living in Oak Lawn (1970-1977).

She is survived by two sisters, Helen Buck and Dorothy Muscia.

Sister Ann Stephen (Judy Marie) Stouffer, 82, died Dec. 9, 2021, in Clinton, Indiana.

Born in Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1960 and professed final vows in 1967.  Of her 62 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 44 years in Indiana, Illinois, and California. In 2008, she returned to the Motherhouse to serve as administrator of Providence Hall. In 2019, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.    

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1964-1966).

She is survived two brothers, Stephen and John Stouffer.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marie Malachy Griffin, 82, died Dec. 10, 2021, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Oak Park, she made her first religious profession in 1961 and her perpetual profession in 1966. She taught for 15 years and was principal for six years before she served as campus minister for 26 years, ministering in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Texas.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Nancy Rae (Paolo) Reisdorf, 83, died Dec. 10, 2021, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she made her first religious profession in 1960 and her perpetual profession in 1965.

She was a teacher, professor, teacher trainer, department chair, and educational innovator, as well as a librarian, principal and administrator, writer, facilitator, speaker and tutor in Illinois and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Mary, Evanston (1960-1967).

She is survived by three brothers: Paul, Danieland Tom Reisdorf.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marilyn (Valerio) Skluzacek, 81, died Dec. 10, 2021, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Minnesota, she made her first religious profession in 1960 and her perpetual profession in 1965. She was a teacher, principal, director of religious education, pastoral associate, family care partner and volunteer in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marilyn taught at St. Basil (1962-1965) and St. Richard (1981-1988) and was principal of Our Lady of Lourdes (1988-1990).

She is survived by four sisters: Janette Sticha, Loretta Hauer, Bernadine Bissonette, and Valeria McHale; and a brother, Jack Skluzacek.

Sister of Christian Charity Joan Clare (Clarette) Daleiden Cooney, 90, died Dec. 17, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Chicago, she became a postulant in 1947, professed first vows in 1950 and professed final vows in 1956. She taught at St. Raphael, St. Teresa and St. Alphonsus, Prospect Heights, as well as in Michigan, Minnesota and Louisiana. She was the reading consultant for the Archdiocese of Chicago (1967-1969), and then served as curriculum coordinator at Holy Trinity School starting in 1971.

At the end of 1972 she asked for a dispensation from her vows, and she married Jack Cooney the following year. During this time, she taught at Queen of All Saints School.

Her husband died in 1991, and in 1997, Sister Joan Clare re-entered the Sisters of Christian Charity, professing first vows in 1998 and final vows in 2001. She lived at Josephinum, where she was director of the SCC Literacy Program. From 1998 until 2016, she taught numerous women to read and write. In 2016 Sister Joan Clare retired to Sacred Heart Convent.

Deacon Francis “Leonard” Steinbeigle, 87, died Nov. 25. He was ordained in 1979 and ministered at St. Damian, Oak Forest, where he was instrumental in the development of many programs.

His wife, Jennie, predeceased him. He is survived by his children Margaret Graham, Juliann Steinbeigle and Leonard Steinbeigle; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Resurrection Sister Mary Julianne Maciuszek, 95, died Nov. 20 at Resurrection Life Center.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at St. Ann Parish and later attended elementary school at St. Casimir Parish. She entered the Sisters of the Resurrection in 1944 and professed vows in 1946.

Sister Mary Julianne spent 17 years ministering in education as a teacher in Illinois, Nebraska and Indiana. In the Chicago area, she taught at St. Casimir; St. Mary of the Angels; St. Bede, Ingleside; and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village, before serving two years as principal of St. Thecla.

In 1971, she began 21 years ministering in health care at Resurrection Medical Center as a patient visitor, supervisor of the admissions office and in medical records.

After her service in health care ministry, Sister Mary Julianne was superior of the Queen of the Resurrection House of Prayer, the retirement home for her community. Her last ministry before retiring in 2012 was serving as portress at the Provincial Home. 

School Sister of Notre Dame Dolores “Lori” Keen, 91, died Nov. 23 in New Lenox.

Born in Chicago, she was a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for 69 years.

Sister Lori served as teacher, administrator, pastoral associate and adult education program director in Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois; as a personal advocate at Resurrection Life Center; and was a friend to many at Marian Village. She is survived by her siblings Katherine Frank, Eleanore Dzike, Angeline Skowron, Jacob Keen and Raymond Keen.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mercedes (Mary Meloria) Kucera, 86, died Nov. 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, she made her first religious profession in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1960. She taught, tutored, served in pastoral care and pastoral ministry, and as switchboard operator, driver, secretary, receptionist and parish volunteer in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mercedes taught at St. Sabina (1963-1969) and tutored in the GED program at the Westside Center (1992-2000). She also served as the secretary in the guidance office at Trinity High School, River Forest (1989-1991) and as receptionist at the Dominican Conference Center, River Forest (1991-1992).

Adrian Dominican Sister Theresa (Josette Marie) Sinnamon, 92, died Nov. 26 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Detroit, she was in her 73rd year of religious life.

Sister Theresa spent 27 years ministering in education and as an administrative worker in Michigan, Illinois, Florida and Ohio. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1949-1956).

She is survived by two brothers, James and Edward Sinnamon.

Sister of St. Joseph Eileen Sullivan, 102, died Nov. 27.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, she was in religious life for 81 years.

Sister Eileen earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1950 at DePaul University and a master’s degree in education in 1970 at Loyola University Chicago.  She taught at St. Barbara, Brookfield; taught and served as principal at St. Leonard, Berwyn; taught at St. Margaret Mary; and taught at St. Francis Xavier in LaGrange. 

Later in life, Sister Eileen moved into pastoral care at Columbus Hospital and volunteered at Bethlehem Woods Retirement Center in La Grange Park.

Resurrectionist Father Francis S. Rog, 91, former associate pastor at St. Hyacinth Basilica, died Nov. 29.

Father Rog was born in Chicago and attended St. Hedwig School and Weber High School. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from St. Louis University in St. Louis, and a doctorate from Northwestern University.

He professed his perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection in 1949 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.

He served the church and the Congregation of the Resurrection in various capacities: teacher and principal at Weber High School; teacher and assistant principal at Gordon Tech High School; pastor and associate pastor of St. Hedwig, St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Hyacinth.

From 1976 through 1985, Father Rog was provincial superior for his community. During those years he served the Archdiocese of Chicago as a member of the Presbyteral Council, advocate on the Marriage Tribunal of the archdiocese, member of the archbishop’s Board of Consultors and chairman of the Committee for Polish Ministry and the Committee for Male Religious. He also served on the board of Notre Dame High School for Girls.

Father John W. Dewes, 82, died Nov. 13. He was pastor emeritus of St. Anne Parish in Barrington.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Thomas Aquinas School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1965.

He served as assistant pastor of Our Lady of Hope, Rosemont, and St. Raymond de Penafort, Mount Prospect, before becoming associate pastor of Immaculate Conception, Highland Park, and St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates. In 1989, he was named pastor of St. Anne Parish, where he served until he retired and received the title of pastor emeritus in 2009.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary Rita Kendergan, 98, died Oct. 31 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Milwaukee, she made her first profession in 1943 and her perpetual profession in 1946. She taught, was a parish visitor and was a library aide and librarian for five years. She served in Illinois, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Wisconsin, South Dakota, California and Iowa.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Rita taught at St. Brendan (1943-1947); St. Mary, Evanston (1949-1951); and St. Cajetan (1966-1967). She served as library aide at Trinity High School (1989-1990) and Dominican University (1994-2002), both in River Forest.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Lynn (Alita) Lisbeth, 76, died Oct. 31 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Arkansas, she attended Immaculate Conception School and Holy Child High School, both in Waukegan, before entering religious life.

Sister Lynn made her first religious profession in 1965 and her perpetual profession in 1970. She taught, served as a liturgist, was a pastoral minister and did adult faith formation, as well as serving as a general councilor for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. She served in Wisconsin, New York, Montana and Alaska.

She is survived by two brothers, Kenneth Lisbeth and James Lisbeth.

Redemptorist Father Wilfred Lowery, 97, died Nov. 10 in Liguori, Missouri. He left a lasting legacy in Thailand and continued to minister to Thai and Laotian immigrant communities throughout the United States well into his 90s.

Born in St. Louis, he made his first profession of vows in 1944 and his perpetual vows in 1947.

He was ordained in 1949, and was sent to serve the poor in Thailand in 1951. After studying the language and serving as a pastor in the Udon Thani Prefecture and in Nongkhai he served as bursar and vice superior in Bangkok. He was serving as vicar general of the Diocese of Udon Thani when health issues prompted his return to the United States.

He directed retreats and worked for the Redemptorist Mission Office while stationed at Villa Redeemer in Glenview (1976-1981) and was assigned as an itinerant preacher with outreach to Laotian immigrants at St. Michael Parish in Chicago (1987-1990).

After serving in Kansas in Missouri, he returned to Chicago as director of his community’s Foreign Mission Office in 1996, and retained that position when he moved back to Villa Redeemer to serve as local superior a year later. He served there until moving to Minnesota in 2000.

Franciscan Sister of Chicago Mary Clare (Dorothy) Brunkala, 91, died Nov. 14.

She made her first religious profession in 1955 and her perpetual profession of vows in 1960.

She taught at Five Holy Martyrs (1954-1955) before attending nursing school. She ministered in South Dakota and Indiana as a nurse. She was director of nursing at Mother Theresa Home, Lemont (1969-1972) and a registered nurse in the infirmary at the motherhouse in Lemont (1972-1973) and at St. Joseph Home (1973-1981), where she was also sacristan.

After ministering in Ohio, she returned to the motherhouse in 1985 and served as a nurse (1985-1986), infirmarian, driver for sisters, shopper, secretary, assistant superior at Our Lady of Victory community (1999-2002), sacristan and local secretary. She retired in 2017.