Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Christiane Althaus, 86, died Dec. 14 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Mundelein, Sister Christiane made her first vows in 1954 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

She taught in the classroom for 39 years and taught music for one year, with seven more as choir teacher while serving as classroom teacher. Sister Christiane worked and volunteered in the archives at the motherhouse for 20 years. Sister Christiane served in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Alabama.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Christiane taught at St. Brendan (1968-1970); Immaculate Conception, Waukegan (1970-1974); and Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, Winnetka (1974-1983).

She is survived by a brother, Lasallian Christian Brother Louis Althaus.

Sister of St. Casimir Mary Philip Ramoska, 100, died Dec. 17 in Lemont.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, she completed her high school education at St. Casimir Academy, Chicago. She entered the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1941, making her first profession of vows in 1943 and her perpetual vows in 1948.

Sister Mary Philip first worked in the dietary departments of Holy Cross Hospital and Loretto Hospital and Holy Family Villa, Lemont. Between 1946 and 1959, she also did dietary work in Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. After training as licensed practical nurse, she ministered for 21 years in Pennsylvania, and then for 18 years in the Archdiocese of Chicago at the Sisters of St. Casimir Motherhouse infirmary.

She most recently served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.

Providence Sister Nancy (Jean Paula) Nolan, 84, died on Dec. 20 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Galesburg, Sister Nancy entered the Sisters of Providence in 1955 and professed final vows in 1962.

She taught in elementary schools, worked in administrative and leadership roles and was elected provincial of St. Joseph Province and then general superior of the congregation. After retiring, she served as vocations office coordinator for her congregation and coordinated the Sisters of Providence volunteer ministry at the U.S. Penitentiary Prison Camp in Terre Haute, Indiana.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Angela (1965-1971) and was co-provincial of St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1975-1983); programs director for the Institute for Spiritual Leadership (1997-1999); and president of Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (1999-2008).

Father John J. Kastigar, 94, died Nov. 27. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former United States Air Force chaplain.

Born in Cicero, Father Kastigar attended St. Odilo Catholic School in Berwyn, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

He served as assistant pastor of St. Frances of Rome, Cicero, and Our Lady of the Snows. He then served as an Air Force chaplain from 1961 to 1982. After a sabbatical and assisting at St. Alexander Parish, Palos Heights, for several months, Father Kastigar returned to the military chaplaincy at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, where he served for 30 years.

“He loved the church and was so happy to be a priest,” said Father Jim Kastigar, associate pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia and Father John Kastigar’s nephew. According to Father Jim Kastigar, his uncle served as a military chaplain in difficult places, such as in Alaska and Germany during the Cold War, in Panama during the transfer of the canal to the Panamanians. However, he used to say that wherever he went God’s people were always good to him.

Father Martin N. Winters, 94, died Nov. 28. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Mundelein Seminary professor and former NBC Chicago television host.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Columbanus School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1952.

After ordination, he served as assistant pastor of St. Barbara, Brookfield, and St. Sylvester. He joined the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary in 1955 and the faculty of Mundelein Seminary, where he taught church history, in 1961. He served as academic dean of Niles College of Loyola University for 18 years.

During Fathers Winters’ teaching years at Quigley Preparatory Seminary in the late 1950s, among the many seminarians was Monsignor Wayne Prist, now pastor emeritus of Queen of All Saints Basilica, who appreciated his professor’s engaging, challenging and playful approach. “I respected his knowledge of history,” Prist said. In the late 1960s, Prist served as a television producer for WMAQ-TV. When he needed a host for the Gamut program, his articulate and confident professor came to mind. As it turned out, Father Winters thrived in that role for 10 years as he interviewed guests on a variety of topics.

Felician Sister Mary Placidia (Hedwig) Kuligot, 98, died Nov. 11 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Chicago, she attended Good Counsel High School and joined the Felician Sisters aspirancy. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1941 and professed her final vows in 1949. She ministered for 48 years as a teacher and tutor in elementary schools in Illinois and Minnesota. She later served in support services at St. Mary Hospital in Centralia for more than 20 years.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Holy Innocents (1941-1942, 1968-1971); Good Shepherd (1943-1944); Sacred Heart (1944-1948, 1959-1965); St. Stanislaus, Posen (1965-1966); and St. Isidore, Blue Island (1971-1994).

Providence Sister Josephine (Louise Joseph) Paolinelli, 84, of Northlake, died on Nov. 17 at Amita Alexian Brothers Hospice in Elk Grove Village.

Born in Chicago, she attended Our Lady of Sorrows School and Providence High School. She entered the Sisters of Providence in 1956 and professed final vows in 1963. She ministered in education and as a business officer and treasurer in Indiana and Illinois. After retiring in 2007, she remained in the Chicago area, where she first cared for her mother and then ministered as a hospital volunteer. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1965-1968) and St. Genevieve (1969-1970) and was business manager at Providence-St. Mel High School; business office administrator at Sacred Heart of Mary, Rolling Meadows (1975-1980); treasurer for her community’s St. Joseph Province, Park Ridge (1980-1989); business manager (1990-1993) and director of finances (1993-2007) at Notre Dame High School for Girls; and volunteered at Guerin College Prep (2007-2008) and Gottlieb Hospital, Melrose Park (2010-2020). 

Providence Sister Mary Lee (Irma) Mettler, 88, died Nov. 24 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1951 and professed final vows in 1959.

She ministered in education, parish work and as a retreat director in Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Athanasius, Evanston (1954); and St. Mel (1959-1962).

Sister Mary Lee had many gifts which she shared generously. A woman of considerable artistic talent, she was known for her skill in photography and her beautiful and meticulous craft work. 

She is survived by a sister, Connie Rurka.

Claretian Brother Richard L. Paquette, 81, died Nov. 28 in Brookfield.

Growing up in Massachusetts, he learned about the Claretians from his mother, who had a devotion to St. Jude.

He joined the Claretians in 1959, attending St. Jude Seminary in Momence, Illinois, and completing his university studies at Indiana State University in 1964.

He served at the Claretian mission of Nuestra Señora del Rosario in Livingston, Guatemala, from 1964 to 1969 and 1984 to 1987. After returning to the United States, he served as a religion teacher and sports director of St. Ann’s Catholic Grade School, a Native American mission in North Dakota, until 1975.

He served at Holy Cross-Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish from 2003 to 2005. He also ministered in parishes in New Jersey and Tennessee.

In 2010, he retired and became a resident of the Claretian community in Oak Park. He moved to a nursing home in Chicago in 2016 because of chronic health issues, and from there to the British Home, his final place of residence.

Providence Sister Betty (Clare Patrice) Donoghue, 83, died on Dec. 1 in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Born in Massachusetts, Sister Betty entered the Sisters of Providence in 1954 and professed final vows in 1962.

She ministered as a primary teacher and in health care in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and she was a spiritual companion to death row prisoners in the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Our Lady of Sorrows (1967-1958) and was a nurse’s aide at Norwood Park Home (1980-1981).

BVM Sister Anita (Felicity) Montavon, 82, died Dec. 2 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary congregation in 1956 and professed final vows in 1964.

In Chicago, she taught at Holy Name Elementary School; worked as a librarian at Our Lady of Lourdes, Sulzer Public Library and River Forest Public Library; served in pastoral ministry at Ravenswood Hospital; and was an office manager.

Sister Anita also ministered in East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois and in Colorado, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.

She is survived by her twin sister Miriam Montavon and sisters Jane Bleivik, Ruth Graves and Terese Byrne.

Deacon Gerald Zych, 78, died Nov. 10.

He was ordained in 1987 and served at St. Giles Parish, Oak Park.

In the parish, Deacon Zych Gerry presided over baptisms and pet blessings, Ash Wednesday prayer services and Lenten Stations of the Cross.

He and his wife of 52 years, Madonna, were instrumental in liturgical celebrations for the parish’s annual marriage anniversary Masses and observances of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, as well as hospitality Sundays.

Deacon Zych is survived by his wife; his children, George and Geralanne; and two grandchildren.

Sister of St. Casimir Lorraine Therese Siminas, 86, died Oct. 24 in Lemont.

Born in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, she grew up a parishioner of Our Lady of Vilna Parish. She graduated from Visitation Catholic School and completed high school at St. Casimir Academy. She made her first profession of vows in 1953 and her perpetual vows as a Sister of St. Casimir in 1958.

Sister Lorraine Therese’s ministry for 53 years was in education, teaching mostly in the primary grades. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Holy Cross, Town of Lake (1954-1956); Nativity BVM (1960-1964, 1970-1971); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1965-1968); St. George (Bridgeport) (1976-1973, 1981-1982); Providence of God (Pilsen) (1973-1875); Sts. Peter and Paul (West Pullman) (1975-1977); and Our Lady of Vilna (Pilsen, 1980-1981). She also taught in New Mexico, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as in Plano, Illinois.

Sister Lorraine Therese most recently served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont. 

Benedictine Sister Victoria (Lorenzia) Marconi, 97, died Nov. 5 at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Victoria was born in Pennsylvania and entered the Benedictine Sisters of Elk County at St. Joseph Monastery in 1944. She professed first vows in 1945 and perpetual vows in 1948. The rite of consecration of virgins was reintroduced in the time of Pope Pius XII around 1950, and Sister Victoria engaged in this rite on the 13th anniversary of her vows.

Her 69 years of active ministry were primarily in teaching first graders in the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister corresponded with many of them until the time of her unexpected death.

In 2013, when the Benedictine community at St. Joseph Monastery could no longer remain independent, Sister Victoria asked to transfer to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago and began her first year of residence in St. Joseph Court, the infirmary at St. Scholastica Monastery. The transfer of her vows was finalized in 2014 and she celebrated both her 70th and 75th jubilees in Chicago.

Columban Father Charles Joseph O’Rourke, 90, died Nov. 6 in Papillion, Nebraska.

Born in Iowa, he joined the Columban Fathers as a high school student and was ordained at St. Columban’s Major Seminary in Massachusetts in 1957. From 1958 until 1985, he was mostly on mission in South Korea. Upon returning to the United States, he pastored Korean Catholic communities in Chicago, Los Angeles and Omaha. After a transfer to the Columban headquarters in Bellevue, Nebraska, he continued ministry to the Korean Catholics of the area and to contemplative prayer groups.

He is survived by two of his sisters, Rita Gubbels and Sister Jeanne O’Rourke, RSM, of Omaha, and many nieces and nephews.

Dominican Sister Maria del Rey Hunt, 91, died Nov. 9 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Sister Maria del Rey made her first profession in 1960 with the Pious Union of the Dominican Mission Sisters. They disbanded in 1967, and she transferred her vows to the Dominican Sisters of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and in 1968 transferred her vows to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. Sister Maria del Rey made her perpetual profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa in 1969. She then ministered as a social worker, parish worker, chaplain for 20 years and transportation driver for one year. Sister Maria del Rey served in Illinois, Colorado, Nebraska, California, Texas and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Maria del Rey served as a psychiatric social worker at two Pilsen mental health clinics (now Pilsen Wellness Center) (1968-1971), and as a driver at Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest (1985-1986).

She is survived by a sister, Mary DeLuca.

Father Ronald E. Scarlata, 81, died Nov. 1. He was pastor of St. James Parish, Highwood.

Born in Chicago, he attended St. Ignatius High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1966.

After ordination, Father Scarlata served as assistant pastor of St. John Bosco and St. William parishes. Later, he was associate pastor of St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park; Divine Savior, Norridge; and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village. Father Scarlata served as pastor of Immaculate Conception (Aberdeen Street) and St. James, Highwood, where he received the title of pastor emeritus after retiring.

Father Leroy A. Wickowski, pastor emeritus of St. Robert Bellarmine, had been great friends with Father Scarlata since their seminary years. Wickowski said his classmate retired early due to health reasons but continued to be of assistance celebrating weekend Masses at several parishes.

Adrian Dominican Sister Marie Bride (Therese Rita) Walsh, 100, died Sept. 26 in Adrian, Michigan.

Born in Chicago, she was in the 81st year of her religious profession.

Sister Marie Bride spent 67 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Michigan, Florida, California and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Aquinas High School (1945-1951) and Regina Dominican High School, Wilmette (1976-2007).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Estelle (Mary Cabrini) Wiltz, 93, died Oct. 21 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Peoria, Sister Estelle made her first religious profession in 1947 and her perpetual profession in 1950. She was a teacher, principal, support staff member, institutional buyer, pastoral minister and assistant prioress at Trinity Convent, River Forest. She served in Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Estelle taught at Epiphany (1947-1954) and St. Thomas More (1967-1969). She served as assistant prioress at Trinity Convent (1995-1998).

Sister of St. Casimir Lucille Ann Bandyk, 87, died Oct. 23 in Lemont.

Born in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago, she graduated from Immaculate Conception School (44th Street) and St. Casimir Academy. After entering the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1949, she made her first profession of vows in 1952 and her perpetual vows in 1957.

Sister Lucille Ann ministered in education for 41 years in both the junior high and high school levels, primarily in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After teaching third and fourth grade at St. George (Bridgeport) (1952-1953), she taught junior high at St. Pius X, Stickney (1959-1960; 1961-1962); St. Norbert, Northbrook (1960-1961); St. Bartholomew, Waukegan (1962-1963); St. Anthony, Cicero (1963-1965); and Sts. Peter and Paul (West Pullman) (1965-1967). She also taught in schools in New Mexico, Michigan and Minnesota.

She ministered at Maria High School from 1969 to 2009, teaching social studies and U.S. history, along with serving as dean of students, moderator of the Father’s Club and secretary.

Recently, Sister Lucille Ann participated in the ministry of prayer and presence at Franciscan Village in Lemont.