Sister Dolores Droste, OSU, formerly known as Bertha Lucille, died peacefully Sept. 11 at St. Clare's Hospital in Fenton, Mo. She served many years in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

The daughter of Theodore and Mary Haag Brinkman Droste, she was born on July 28, 1923 in Godfrey. She received her early education in Alton, graduating from Marquette High School in 1941. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in July 1942, professing her vows in January 1945. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis.

Sister Dolores was a dedicated primary teacher, serving schools in Alton, Godfrey, Staunton, Wood River and Collinsville; and in Arnold, Festus and DeSoto, Mo. She gave 11 years of internal service to the Ursuline provincialate community in Crystal City, Mo., before retiring to Alton in 1995. She entered the Ursuline health care community in Alton in June 2003 and recently moved to St. Andrew's at Francis Place in Eureka, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Ben Droste and David Droste; and her sisters Sister Mary Ann Droste, OP, Sister Clare Droste, FSM, and Agnes Droste Hesse.

She is survived by five siblings: Sister Juliana Droste, FSM, George (Margie) Droste, Paul (Dorothy) Droste, Julie Droste Mulrean and Gertie Droste. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Ann Droste and Jeanette Droste, and her brother-in-law Louis Hesse.

The Rite of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 15 at St. Ambrose Church in Godfrey, with burial at St. Patrick Cemetery in Godfrey.

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122.