Sr. Mary Ellen Gevelinger, O.P.

Sinsinawa, Wisconsin

Sister Mary Ellen Gevelinger, OP, died at home March 13, 2024, in Madison, Wis. Natural burial interment will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 18 at St. Clara Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis. Her funeral Mass will take place in the Edgewood College Chapel, Madison, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 27. Casey-McNett Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Sister Mary Ellen was born May 31, 1943, to Robert and Margaret (Bradley) Gevelinger in Mineral Point, Wis. She professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1963 and received the religious name of Sister Marie Alphonse. She graduated high school from St. Clara Academy, Sinsinawa, and then received a BA in Latin from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, Ill.; an MA in Religious Studies from Mundelein College, Chicago; an MA in Educational Administration from St. Xavier College, Chicago; and an EdD in Education Leadership from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.

Sister Mary Ellen's ministry was dedicated to education and administration. In Illinois, she taught at Queen of Peace High School, Burbank; and Trinity High School, River Forest. She ministered as dean of students at St. Thomas the Apostle High School and Unity Catholic High School, Chicago. She was also executive assistant to the president at Rosary College. In Minnesota, Sister Mary Ellen taught at Bethlehem Academy, Faribault, and served as principal at Regina High School, Minneapolis. She was director of personnel and planning for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Office of Catholic Schools. In Wisconsin, Sister Mary Ellen taught at Newman High School, Wausau, and served as professor and member of the Edgewood College Board of Trustees. She later served as president of Edgewood College. Other roles there included tenured faculty member and director of doctoral research in Edgewood's School of Education. She ministered as vicaress and then prioress of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Mark. She is survived by 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.