SINSINAWA — Sister Rosemary Empen, OP, died March 2, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Manor, Footville, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Aemilia. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, March 11, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Rosemary made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1957, and her perpetual profession Aug. 5, 1960. She taught for 16 years and served as principal for five years. Sister Rosemary was a missionary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, for 13 years. This work led her to continue her ministry with Spanish-speaking people when she returned to the United States. She served as pastoral minister for 12 years, director of a multicultural center for five years, and codirector of a Catholic parish for 10 years. Sister Rosemary was a gentle person who responded to the needs of others by asking, “What will we do about this?” She also served in Illinois, New York, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Mississippi.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Rosemary was the director at Centro Guadalupano (now Catholic Multicultural Center), Madison, 1991-1996, and was a volunteer Spanish teacher while living at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 2006-2019.
Sister Rosemary was born July 17, 1933, in Rochelle, Ill., the daughter of Bernard and Josephine (Burken) Empen. Her parents and a brother, Bernard Empen, preceded her in death. She is survived by three sisters, Shirley Modjallal, Phyliss Gibson, and Carol Glenn; two brothers, Joseph Empen and Ronald Empen; nieces; 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 Rosemary are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.