SINSINAWA — Sister Mercedes Kucera, OP, died Nov. 26, 2021, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Mary Meloria. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Dec. 3, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Mercedes made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1957, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1960. She taught for 23 years and tutored for eight years. In her other ministries, she served for nine years in pastoral care and pastoral ministry, and as switchboard operator, driver, secretary, receptionist and parish volunteer. Sister Mercedes listened with her heart and cared deeply about the people in her life. She served in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa and Florida.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Mercedes ministered at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, as a driver and switchboard operator, 1986-1989; and mail room volunteer, 2001-2010.
Sister Mercedes was born Nov. 24, 1935, in Chicago, the daughter of Joseph and Esther (Seery) Kucera. Her parents; a sister, Mary Kucera; and six brothers, Eugene Kucera, Joseph Kucera Jr., the Rev. Robert Kucera, OSM, James Kucera, Thomas Kucera, and John Kucera, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces and nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 64 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 Mercedes are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.