Sr. Richelle Schmitz, OP

Sister Richelle Schmitz, OP, died Oct. 25, 2025, at Stair Crest Senior Living Community, Muskego, Wis. Her Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Fri., Nov. 7, 2025, at Stair Crest. Casey-McNett Funeral Home and Cremation Services is handling arrangements. 

She was born June 26, 1931, to Fred and Rose (Steigerwald) Schmitz in Chicago, Ill., and named Marirose. She professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1951 and received the religious name Richelle. She earned her BS in elementary education from Edgewood College, Madison, Wis., and her MA in education from the College of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn. 

Her ministry was dedicated to teaching and educational administration. Sister Richelle taught at Our Lady of Refuge School, Bronx, N.Y.; Sacred Heart School, Faribault, Minn.; and St. James School, Kenosha, Wis. In Illinois, she taught and served as principal at St. Giles School, Oak Park; and as principal at St. Mary of the Woods School, Chicago.

Sister Richelle was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Richard Schmitz. She is survived by her niece, Richelle (Raymond) Dudziak; nephews, Rick and Steve Schmitz; several grandnieces and nephews; and her Dominican Sisters. Memorials may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wis., or given online at sinsinawa.org/donate.