Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Francesca “Fran” Koller, 89, died Jan. 19 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, she made her first religious profession in 1952 and her perpetual profession in 1955.

She was a teacher, pastoral minister, chaplain and assistant prioress who ministered in Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee and Alaska, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. She also was a talented singer and watercolor artist.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Visitation School.

She is survived by a sister, Janet Nelson; and a brother, Emil Koller.

Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister Mary Ellen (Roland) Beck, 87, died Jan. 19 at Resurrection Life Center.

She was in religious life for 70 years and taught and was a principal in Illinois, Arizona, Michigan and California. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Adrian and St. Bride.

She brought her love of music and sports to all her interactions with students, no matter their age or background, and was able to say she loved each of her assignments, community leaders said. 

She retired in 2000. 

Father Paul C. Burak, 74, died Jan. 11. He was the former pastor of St. Michael Parish, Orland Park.

Born in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary before being ordained in 1972.

He was associate pastor of St. Kilian Parish and in 1981 was appointed pastor of St. Catherine of Genoa. He went on to serve as pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge, and St. Michael, Orland Park. Burak also served as dean at Deanery V-D and V-E and, for a few years, the cardinal’s liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.

Deacon Francis P. Henry, 78, died Jan. 10. He was ordained in 1992 and served at Nativity of Our Lord Parish.

He is survived by his siblings Tom Henry, Joan Donay and John Henry and several nieces and nephews.

School Sister of Notre Dame Gloria (Maria Elvira) Rosales, 96, died Dec. 4 at Resurrection Life Center from COVID-19.

Born in Chicago, she later recalled her mother telling her how she went all day at the 1926 Eucharistic Congress “without a whimper,” even though she was only 2 years old.

She attended Sancta Maria Incoronata School, and every day after class she taught her Mexican-born parents the English she had learned in school.

She professed first vows in 1943 and final vows in 1949.

Sister Gloria served as a primary, kindergarten and early childhood teacher in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois, including at St. Ambrose and St. Margaret of Scotland.

She was a school administrator and counselor in Illinois, and she worked in special education at Nipper School in Park Ridge (1973-1978). 

Sister Gloria retired to Marian Village in Homer Glen in 2007 and in 2020 she moved to Resurrection Life Center.