SINSINAWA — Sister Virgil Kummer, OP, died Oct. 25, 2021, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Natural burial took place Oct. 28 in the Motherhouse Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Nov. 5.
Sister Virgil made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Aug. 30, 1947, and her perpetual profession Aug. 30, 1950. She taught music and sometimes religion for 22 years and served as liturgist and music coordinator for 52 years. Sister Virgil involved the communities where she ministered with the musical education of the students. She helped implement the liturgical changes of Vatican II with gentle yet firm guidance and enabled people’s knowledge of the liturgy and their faith. Her voice, as was her faith, was strong and clear. She served in Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, New York and Texas.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Virgil taught at St. Raphael, Madison, 1953-1955, and St. Clara Academy, Sinsinawa, 1958-1959 and 1959-1960. She ministered at Sinsinawa Mound, Sinsinawa, as liturgist, 1969-1977, and liturgy assistant, spiritual director, and retreat and workshop leader, 1996-2001. She continued to volunteer in those last roles at the motherhouse until 2021.
Sister Virgil was born Nov. 9, 1924, in Minneapolis, the daughter of Nicholas E. and Ethel (Helbach) Kummer. Her parents; a sister, Jane McTaggart; and a brother, Nicholas F. Kummer, preceded her in death. She is survived by a sister, Mary Ingaldson; nieces; nephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 74 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 Virgil are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.