Sister Mary Helen Schmitz, OP, died at her home in Fitchburg, Wis., Dec. 13, 2025. Her Funeral Mass will take place 1 p.m. Tues., Dec. 23 at Edgewood University’s St. Joseph Chapel, Madison, Wis. Casey-McNett Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling arrangements.

She was born Feb. 1, 1937, to Hubert and Gertrude (Hauser) Schmitz in Madison. She made profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa in 1957 and received the religious name Sister Mary Christiana. She earned her BS in elementary education from Edgewood College, Madison.

Her ministry was dedicated to education. In Illinois, she taught at St. Thomas Apostle School, Chicago; St. Bernard School, Peoria; and Visitation School, Kewanee. In New York, she taught at Our Lady of Refuge, Bronx. In Iowa, she taught at St. Patrick School, Imogene. Sister Mary Helen then returned to Wisconsin and taught at St. Rose School, Cuba City; St. Jerome School, Columbus; and Queen of Peace School and St. Dennis School, Madison. She also provided private elder and childcare to families in the Madison area. Her love for nature and children was evident in her gentle capacity for recognizing inherent beauty and potential wherever she went.

Sister Mary Helen was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and James Schmitz; a sister, Carol Connery; and in-laws Mary Schmitz, Maurice Connery, and Thomas Norman. She is survived by two sisters, Jean Norman and Betty Meyers; her sister-in-law Alice Schmitz; 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.