SINSINAWA — Sr. Rita Claire Dorner, OP, died April 6, 2020, at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. Her religious name was Sister Antonine. The private funeral Mass was held at the Dominican Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, April 8, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Rita Claire made her first religious profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa August 5, 1951, and her perpetual profession August 5, 1954. She taught music for 25 years and in the graduate program in pastoral ministry for 18 years, serving as director for seven of those years. Sister Rita Claire served as director of religious education, liturgist, and/or music director at parishes and with her Religious Sisters for 16 years. She enriched music classes and liturgical celebrations through her gentle leadership, lively spirit and depth of knowledge. Her classes in liturgy, sacrament and catechesis shaped lives and made a deep impression. She served in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and California.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Rita Claire taught at Edgewood Campus School, Madison, 1960-1962, and Edgewood High School, Madison, 1965-1976. She served as director of liturgical ministry at St. Patrick Parish, Cottage Grove, 2007-2011, and as liturgist and music director at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, 2011-2019.
Sister Rita Claire was born February 16, 1931, in Chicago, the daughter of Anton and Marie (Drexler) Dorner. Her parents; two sisters, Marie Dorner and Paula Clohesey; and two brothers, Herbert Dorner and Ernest Dorner, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 68 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 CR Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org/donate
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Rita Claire are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.