Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Vicki Lauria, 93, died Nov. 17 in Footville, Wisconsin.

Born in Albany, New York, Sister Vicki made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Kenosha in 1957 and her perpetual profession in 1976. In 1997, she transferred her religious vows to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. Sister Vicki taught, was a novice director, was a general councilor and cared for family and loved ones in Illinois, New Mexico, Wisconsin, California and New York.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Vicki taught at Providence of God.

Sister of Christian Charity Bernadette (Virginia) Voss, 81, died Nov. 19 Sacred Heart Convent, Wilmette.

Born in Evanston, she entered the Sisters of Christian Charity in 1960, made her first vows in 1963 and made her final vows in 1969.

Sister Bernadette served as portress in the motherhouse in Wilmette and as homemaker at St. Raphael Convent in Chicago and Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.

From 1980 to 1995 Sister Bernadette ministered in St. Louis.

In 1996, Sister Bernadette moved to Josephinum Convent, where she helped with ministry to the poor and taught religious education. After three years in Tucson, Arizona, she returned to Josephinum. From 2003 until 2008, Sister Bernadette served in pastoral ministry and religious education and was a eucharistic minister at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

In 2009, she suffered a stroke; she moved to Sacred Heart Convent, where she embarked on her ministry of prayer and presence.

Father David R. Straub, 60, died Nov. 1. He was most recently the former associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Palos Hills.

Born in Chicago, he attended Marian Catholic High School; Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1994.

Father Straub served as associate pastor of St. Columbanus; St. Monica; St. Dorothy; St. Zachary, Des Plaines; Prince of Peace, Lake Villa; and Sacred Heart Parish. He was pastor of St. Benedict the African-West and Queen of the Rosary, Elk Grove Village.

Auxiliary Bishop Mark Bartosic remembered his classmate as “a man of few words, although he had a way with them.”

Bartosic added that Father Straub had been a sportswriter after college and before seminary, and continued his writing after being ordained. “He was a man who never forgot a kindness done to him,” Bishop Bartosic said.

“Father Dave Straub was a humble priest, never seeking the limelight or fanfare,” said Auxiliary Bishop Robert Casey, archdiocesan vicar general and former classmate. “He served our church well, and I am certain he’ll be hearing the Lord say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

Fr. Raymond F. Klees

Father Raymond F. Klees, 75, died Nov. 2. He was most recently the former associate pastor of St. Mary of the Woods Parish.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1973.

Father Klees served as assistant pastor of St. Juliana and associate pastor of St. Gabriel, Our Lady of Victory and St. Mary of the Woods. He was pastor of St. Cletus, La Grange.

“Knowing Ray Klees for the past 60 years, since our first day in seminary, I can attest to his great love of people and priesthood,” said Msgr. Kenneth Velo, archdiocesan priest and senior executive of Catholic Collaboration for DePaul University. “He has been in varied ministries, and always brought great devotion and enthusiasm to his work. He will be missed.”

Jesuit Father Patrick J. Boyle, 90, died Oct. 25 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, he studied for two years at Loyola University Chicago before entering the Society of Jesus in 1950. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Latin and philosophy and a master’s degree in sociology from Loyola before being ordained in 1963. He later earned a doctorate in theology from Marquette University in Milwaukee. He also held licentiates in philosophy and theology.

He taught at Loyola Academy in Wilmette (1957-1960) and was an assistant high school principal in Ohio before becoming a U.S. Army chaplain and serving in Vietnam (1968-1971).

When Father Boyle returned to the Chicago Province, he was the director of the Jesuit Retreat League at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House, Barrington (1971-1983). He then worked at Loyola University Chicago for a year.

From 1984 to 2021, Father Boyle taught moral theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. In 2021, he moved to the St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa.

Jesuit Father Robert Wild, former Chicago provincial, knew Father Boyle for more than 50 years and said that while he looked like a “tough guy,” he cared very much for the people he ministered to, whether they were students, seminarians or soldiers.

“When he was a paratrooper-chaplain in several forward-fire bases during the Vietnam conflict, Pat was there for his guys, risking his life in hot action to defend and care for the wounded and dying,” Father Wild said. “He was, I believe, one of the most decorated chaplains in the Vietnam War (two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star). And at Mundelein Seminary, where he taught moral theology for many years, his students very much appreciated his efforts to make that part of the course down to earth and practical.”