SINSINAWA — Sr. Loretta Zemaitis, OP, died Jan. 26, 2022, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Mary Nathan. Natural burial took place Jan. 28 in the Motherhouse Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Feb. 1.
Sister Loretta made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Feb. 3, 1945, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1948. She taught for 29 years and served as director of migrant tutoring for one year and tutor for one year. Sister Loretta ministered in adult faith formation for 15 years, as director of religious education for seven years, with a food pantry for one year, and as pastoral minister for three years. She was curious, often seeking to understand the mystery of God and listening to others as they searched for meaning. She was a peace-filled spirit of joy. Sister Loretta served in Wisconsin, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, South Carolina and Florida.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Loretta served as pastoral minister at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 2001-2003.
Sister Loretta was born May 5, 1922, in Chicago, the daughter of Anton and Pearl (Kucharski) Zemaitis. Her parents; two sisters, Sophie Szaroski and Emma Butkiewicz; and four brothers, Anton Zemaitis, Jospeh Zemaitis, Walter Zemaitis, and Stanley Zemaitis, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 76 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 Loretta are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live. Click on the “on demand” tab.