SINSINAWA, Wis. — Sister Martha Mary Rohde, OP, died Jan. 23, 2024, at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital, Stuart, Fla. Her funeral Mass will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at Holy Cross Church, Indiantown, Fla., for the public and parishioners, students and parents of Hope Rural School. A wake, memorial service and burial will take place at a later date at Sinsinawa Mound, Wis. All County Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements.
Sister Martha Mary was born Sept. 9, 1946, to John and Florence (Patchin) Rohde in Chicago. She professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Aug. 5, 1966, and received the religious name of Sister Alfonsa. She received a BS in elementary education at Edgewood College, Madison, Wis., and her master’s in education from Cardinal Stritch, Milwaukee. She also attended the University of Dayton, Ohio, and received a master’s in educational administration.
Sister Martha Mary’s ministry has been dedicated to education. In Illinois, she taught at St. Thomas More School and at Immaculate Conception School, Chicago. In Wisconsin, Sister Martha Mary taught at St. Joseph, Baraboo, and served the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation as Motherhouse prioress and assisted living prioress at Sinsinawa Mound. In New Jersey, she ministered at St. James, Ventnor, as teacher and principal. In Florida, Sister Martha Mary taught at St. Andrew, Cape Coral, and then served as assistant principal there. She also ministered at St. Michael Academy, Fernandina Beach, as teacher and then as principal. She was currently serving as principal at Hope Rural School, Indiantown, since 2015.
Sister Martha Mary was preceded in death by her parents, John Rohde, Florence Davis, and stepfather Corwin Davis; a brother, John Rohde; and a sister-in-law, Donna Rohde. She is survived by a brother, Edward Davis; a niece, Kathy (Hank) Schwiesow; a nephew, John (Mary) Rohde; and her Dominican Sisters. Memorials may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wis., or given online at www.sinsinawa.org/donate.