Sr. Sigrid Simlik, OP

SINSINAWA, Wis.—Sister Sigrid Simlik, OP, died Jan. 23 at Saint Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Her remembering service was held Feb. 12 at Saint Dominic Villa, and her Funeral Mass followed. 

Lillian Agnes Simlik was born June 28, 1928, to Paul and Catherine (Mikeska) Simlik in Chicago, Illinois. She professed vows with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa in 1949 and received the religious name Sister Sigrid. She received her Bachelor of Arts in classics from Rosary College (now Dominican University), River Forest, Illinois; a CPE as certified chaplain from Shannon Hospital, San Angelo, Texas; and a Master of Arts in theology from Saint Mary University, San Antonio, Texas.  

Her ministry was dedicated to teaching and hospital chaplaincy. She taught elementary education at Saint Rose of Lima School, Baltimore, Maryland.; and Saint Rose School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At Aquin Catholic Central High School, Freeport, Illinois, she taught French and Latin. Sister Sigrid also taught various foreign languages in the role of lecturer at Rosary College. 

She then served as educational consultant in the Oklahoma City Diocesan Office of Education, and as director of the Newman Center at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. She was hospital chaplain at Mercy Hospital, Independence, Kansas, and at Seton Medical Center and Brackenridge Hospital, both Austin, Texas. She retired to Sun City, Arizona, in 2002 and then moved to Sinsinawa Mound in 2015. Sister Sigrid moved to Saint Dominic Villa in 2017, then moved to Saint Elizabeth Manor in Footville, Wisconsin, in 2020. She returned to the Villa 2024. She had a deep appreciation for world culture and was a lifelong learner.    

Sister Sigrid was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Father Frank Simlik. She is survived by her Dominican Sisters. Memorials may be made to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, or online at sinsinawa.org/donate.