Sister Kathleen Sheskaitis, IHM, died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. She was 88 years old.
Kathleen Louise Sheskaitis was born at home in Ecorse, Michigan, April 6, 1937. The first child of Stanley and Christine (Metreck) Sheskaitis, she was baptized at St. Peter Lithuanian Church, Detroit. The births of brother Larry and sister Gloria completed the family.
Young Kathleen attended St. Brigid Elementary School. She excelled in academics and enjoyed musical instruction in piano and cello. After graduation from Immaculata High School (1955), Kathleen entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name, Sister Rose de Lima.
Her lifetime ministry was one of education, always enhancing another’s call to realize full potential, through her direction, skillfulness and guidance in areas of formal education, parish ministry, diocesan and national administration and chaplaincy programs.
Teaching ministry began with 10 years in Michigan at St. Mary, Mount Morris; Christ the King, Holy Trinity, and St. Agnes, Detroit; Sacred Heart, Roseville; and St. Michael, Monroe. At St. Agnes, Sister Kay, as she was known, transitioned to parish ministry as a pastoral associate. Her desire to be among the people led to further education at Catholic Theological Union and the San Francisco Theological Seminary. In the Archdiocese of Portland, she opened and directed one of the first diocesan lay ministry offices until 1990. In St. Louis, she directed the Rural Ministry Education Institute until its closure in 1993. From St. Louis, Sister Kay relocated to Milwaukee to lead the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ Office of Certification and Accreditation for over 20 years. Her work with this national office was recognized with a national honor from the Association of Catholic Chaplains.
For many years of ministry and retirement, Sister Kay resided in Milwaukee. She continued her education and ministry in clinical pastoral education and spiritual direction. She participated in many local prayer movements and brought beauty and joy to the lives of many who were also seeking the charism of Vatican II.
Education included a bachelor’s degree from Marygrove College, a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University, a Master of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union, and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Sister Kay is survived by her nephews and their families, a lifetime of good friends and her IHM Sisters in community. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lawrence Stevens and her sister, Gloria Flucke.
A service will be held Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. in the Maxis Community Room at the Saint Therese IHM Senior Living Community, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe. Per Sister Kay’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.