Sister Rita Sonderman, 93, of Salem Heights, Dayton, died Dec. 31, 2009, at the Maria Joseph Center, Dayton.

She was born Nov. 20, 1916, in Fort Recovery, to William and Veronica Recker Sonderman.

Surviving are a sister Lucille Knapke; nieces and nephews, including Rev. Bill Nordenbrock.

Deceased is a sister, Helen Nordenbrock.

She entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood Aug. 14, 1938, and received the name Sister Mary Hilda. She had been a Sister of the Precious Blood for 71 years and taught primary and intermediate grades in Fort Wayne, Bryant and Rensselaer, Ind., Dayton, North College Hill, Versailles, Ottoville, New Riegel, Wapakoneta and St. Henry and Linton, N.D. In addition to teaching, she served as assistant aspirancy mistress for the Sisters of the Precious Blood, engaged in catechetial ministry and served in pastoral care, the latter at St. Theresa Home, Cincinnati. In 1987, she retired to Salem Heights, the Central House of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Salem Heights, Dayton. Burial is at Salem Heights Cemetery.

Calling is 5-7 p.m. today with a memorial service at 7 p.m. at Salem Heights.