Sr. Mary Rathert

Sister Mary Rathert, OP, died Jan. 20, 2026, at Stair Crest Senior Living Community, Muskego, Wis. Her wake service will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 at Stair Crest. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in the Siena Chapel at the Racine Dominican Motherhouse, Racine, Wis. Casey-McNett Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

She was born May 19, 1943, to Alfred and Mathilda (Eich) Rathert in Madison, Wis. She professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1963 and received the religious name Sister Marie Alfred. She earned a BA in mathematics from Rosary College, River Forest, Ill.; an MA in math education from the Ohio State University, Columbus; a CPE from Abbott NW Hospital, Minneapolis, Minn.; an ISW certificate in theology from the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif.; an MTS in theological studies from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley; and an MA in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University, Spokane. Wash.

Sister Mary’s ministry was dedicated to teaching, pastoral care, and social service work. She taught math at Sacred Heart High School, Omaha, Neb.; Visitation High School, Chicago; Trinity High School, River Forest; and St. John High School, Milwaukee, Wis. She then served the congregation on the formation team for the Sinsinawa Dominican Novitiate, was a provincial councilor for the Eastern Province, and was councilor on the Sinsinawa Dominican Leadership Council. She served in outreach for the Diocese of Pensacola, Apalachicola, Fla.; worked at the John XXIII Pastoral Center, Charleston, W.V.; and dealt with human concerns at St. Edward Parish, Richmond, Va. She was program director at Women’s Hearth, Spokane. Sr. Mary helped people realize their potential and talents. She was a source of affirmation and love for all who knew her.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved cousins, friends, and 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.