Sister Dolores (Cleo) Lilla, FSPA, five days shy of her 93rd birthday, died on September 17, 2026, at St. Rose Convent, La Crosse, Wis. She was in the 72nd year of her religious profession as a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA).
Dolores Marie Lilla was born in Stevens Point, Wis. on September 22, 1933, to Jane Mary (Warosh) and Florian Lilla. She professed first vows as an FSPA on August 12, 1954.
Sister Dolores served as a teacher in elementary schools in Iowa (West Bend, Muscatine), Wisconsin (La Crosse at Holy Cross School, Loyal, Superior, Ashland and Merrill) and Washington (Spokane at Our Lady of Fatima School).
She earned a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree from Viterbo College [University] in La Crosse. Sister Dolores ministered as teacher of middle grades and as vice principal and principal for more than 40 years before beginning parish ministry in 1997. After retiring from the field of education, Sister Dolores served in pastoral outreach at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Merrill, Wis., visiting the ill and elderly. Sister Dolores moved to St. Rose Convent in 2022, where she ministered through prayer and witness.
Sister Dolores is survived by her religious community and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James and her sister Jeanette Zimick.
A vigil service will take place for Sister Dolores on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at Mary of the Angels Chapel, St. Rose Convent. A virtual sharing will take place that evening at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 24, at 10 a.m. in Mary of the Angels Chapel. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, La Crosse. Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be sent to the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.
