Providence Sister Rita (Edward Clare) Lerner, 97, died March 25 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Born in Chicago, she entered the Sisters of Providence in 1938 and professed final vows in 1946.

She ministered in elementary schools and in health care in Indiana; California; Washington, D.C.; and Illinois.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at Our Lady of Sorrows (1945-1946, 1952-1958); St. Mel-Holy Ghost (1958-1965); St. Leo (1965-1969) and St. Agnes (1969-1977).