Obituaries

Obituary Image

Sr. Susanne Hofweber

Educator

Adrian Dominican Sister Susanne (Elizabeth) Hofweber, 97, died Aug. 27 in Adrian, Michigan. 

Born in Detroit, she was in her 80th year of religious life. She ministered in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. She also was executive director of the National Conference Diocesan DRE-CCD for six years, and for two years was the national program director for St. Vincent Center of Apostolic Development, both located in Washington, D.C. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Kilian (1938-1939), St. Nicholas of Tolentine (1939-1940) and St. Carthage (1940-1941).

Sister Susanne is survived by her sister, Marian Zeleznik, and her brother, August J. (Jack) Hofweber.

Obituary Image

Sr. Mary Ellen Caldwell

Educator

BVM Sister Mary Ellen Caldwell, 97, died Aug. 22 in Dubuque, Iowa.

She was born in Milwaukee. She entered the BVM congregation in 1938 and professed final vows in 1946.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Ellen taught at St. Vincent School. She also ministered in Kansas, Iowa and Ghana.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Smith, and her brothers Jesuit Father Thomas Caldwell and Joseph Kerwin Caldwell.

Obituary Image

Sr. Mary Terese Rink

Educator, clerk

BVM Sister Mary Terese (Lumina) Rink, 88, died Aug. 13 in Dubuque, Iowa. 

Born in Iowa, she entered the BVM congregation in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary Terese taught secondary school at Immaculata High School, and Delano, Froebel and Dunbar high schools. At the University of Illinois Medical Center, she served in clerical work, as coordinator for the Disabled Children’s Program and as a case manager. She also served in Tennessee and Iowa.

She is survived by her sisters Margery Petrzelka, Helen Mangrum and Katie Cahalan.

Obituary Image

Sr. M. Blanche Zalewski

Educator, pastoral care provider

Holy Family of Nazareth Sister M. Blanche (Stephanie) Zalewski, 92, died July 27 at Nazarethville in Des Plaines.

Born in Chicago, she was baptized at Holy Trinity Church. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1943 and became a novice that same year. Following her first profession of vows in 1945, Sister Blanche began teaching at St. Hedwig School. 

She professed her perpetual vows in 1951. For 43 years, Sister Blanche taught in the Chicago area; in Marayong, Australia; and later in Texas and North Dakota.

From 1988 until 2009, she ministered in pastoral care at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago.

Obituary Image

Deacon Herbert F. Drazba

Class of 1975

Deacon Herbert F. Drazba, 83, of Dolton, died Aug. 27. He was ordained in 1975 and served at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 706 and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Genoa Council.

He was married to his late wife, Dorothy, for 57 years.

He is survived by his children Michael, Thomas and Therese Drazba; his grandchildren Christopher, Scott, Dawn, Samantha and Rebecca Drazba and Walter Smith; one great-grandchild; his brother, Walter Drazba; and his sister, Dominican Sister Eunice Drazba.

Advertising