Sister Bernadine Schellinger, O.P.

Sister Bernadine Schellinger, O.P., 91, passed away at Siena Center, Racine, on Friday December 11th, 2025.

Carol Rose Schellinger was born December 25, 1933 to Otto P. and Theresa (nee: Lauer) Schellinger in Fond du Lac, WI. On August 29, 1950 she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1951 she was given the religious name Sister Bernadine. She professed her first vows in 1953 and her final vows in 1959.

Sister Bernadine spent many years in service to others in teaching, infirmary administration and as a coordinator of sisters in skilled care. She began her ministry in 1953 at St. Rita, Racine, WI. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Mary, Kenosha; Holy Trinity and St. Catherine High School, Racine; St. Benedict the Moor, St. Sylvester and Pio Nono High School, Milwaukee; St. John, Little Chute; and Hartford Union High School, Hartford. In 1983 she started working at Siena Center as part of the Sisters Infirmary administrative staff and later as the supportive services coordinator. In 1995 she became the coordinator of sisters in skilled care. She became a resident at Siena Center in April 2022.

Sister Bernadine is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates, including her dear friend Sister Carol Wester; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; and her brothers Eugene and George and also John who died in infancy and sisters Lucille Marx and Sister Mae Schellinger, O.P.

A Remembering Service will be at 8:45am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in the Siena Center Chapel on Thursday, December 18th, 2025. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Outreach have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the Supportive Living and Hospice Alliance staff who cared for Sister Bee at Siena Center.