SINSINAWA — Sister Clarus Jonaitis, OP, died Oct. 19, 2013, at St. Dominic Villa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa Oct. 23, 2013, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Clarus made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican Aug. 6, 1940, and her final profession Aug. 6, 1943. She taught for 49 years, including 16 as an art teacher. Sister Clarus served in Illinois, Maryland, New York, Wisconsin, California and Nebraska.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Clarus taught at St. Patrick, Madison, 1971-1974.
Sister Clarus was born Nov. 18, 1918, in Kenosha, Wis., the daughter of John and Anna (Spokencuite) Jonaitis. Her parents; a sister, Lucille Jonaitis; and three brothers, Leo Jonaitis, Joseph Jonaitis, and John Jonaitis, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared life for 73 years.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org by clicking on “Donate Now,” then “Honor and Memorial Gift.”
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Helen are available online at www.Sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.