Dominican Sister of Peace Rita Carr, OP, a native of Wakonda, South Dakota, died on November 12, 2025, at Sansbury Care Center, St. Catharine, Kentucky. Sister Rita was born on November 16, 1931.
She lived a consecrated life as a Dominican for 73 years and spent more than 50 years of her life serving God’s people in Nebraska. This included time spent as a hospital chaplain and pastoral care in Kearney and as spiritual director in Omaha. She was also a teacher and principal in various cities in the state and western regional councilor in Grand Island.
Sr. Rita spent several years in Iowa and served as a chaplain in Des Moines and as a teacher at a parochial school in Missouri Valley.
Her life in Kentucky was spent in St. Catharine as a governing board member of the Dominican Generalate for four years. She lived her final years at the St. Catharine Motherhouse and Sansbury Health Care Center as a volunteer and in the ministry of prayer and presence.
Sr. Rita earned a Bachelor of Art in Education - Social Science at Siena College in Memphis in 1963, a Masters in Administration - Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska in 1968 and more than 10 years later, she received a diploma in theological studies and certificates in pastoral care and spiritual direction.
Sr. Rita is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A November 20, 2025, Memorial Mass was held at Sansbury Chapel with Sr. Janie Keenoy, OP, offering the reflection. She said, “Rita's life reminds me of a rich, unique tapestry woven by God… Rita’s God wove the gift of compassion into her life at an early age. One of her brothers died when he was 10 years old. Rita recognized how the pain of that death affected her parents, herself, and other siblings. It was a deep source of suffering for them all. This tragedy called forth compassion from Rita. It seems to me that the thread of compassion continued to be developed throughout her life.”
Memorial gifts in Sr. Rita’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219 or submitted securely at oppeace.org.
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To make a secure online donation please visit www.oppeace.org.