SINSINAWA — Sister Constance “Connie” Lennartz, OP, died Oct. 3, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Manor, Footville, Wis. Natural burial took place in the Motherhouse Cemetery. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Oct. 14.
Sister Connie made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1952, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1955. She taught for 33 years and was principal for one year. Sister Connie served as pastoral minister for five years and directed a program for adults preparing to join the Catholic Church for 19 years. Guiding people as they grew in their faith was important to her. She was a woman who loved serving on committees, volunteering in choirs, and walking in marches that supported justice issues. She served in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, South Carolina, Alabama and Oklahoma.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Connie taught at St. Raphael, Madison, 1952-1959; St. Rose, Cuba City, 1960-1963; and Edgewood High School, Madison, 1963-1967.
Sister Connie was born Oct. 22, 1929, in Oak Park, Ill., the daughter of George and Anna (McGrath) Lennartz. Her parents; stepmother, Louise Lennartz; a sister, Sister Mary Francis Lennartz, OP; a stepsister, Bernice Santilli; and a brother, George Lennartz, preceded her in death. She is survived by nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 70 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Connie are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.