Sr. Reta Drexler, OP, formerly known as Sister Madonna Rose, died on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 67th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Reta was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to William and Rose (Hoorman) Drexler. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. She was also certified as a spiritual director.
Sister spent 30 years ministering in education in Detroit, Norway, Maybee, Iron Mountain and Escanaba, Michigan; Defiance, Cincinnati, and Swanton, Ohio; and Melbourne, Florida. She also spent eight years as director of religious education and pastoral minister at St. Jude Parish in Tequesta, Florida, and one year in pastoral ministry at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, Florida. Sister was also a general assistant for a year and a half at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian, an institution of the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2005.
Sister Reta was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera Hartman and Florence Wright; and her brothers, Albert, Carl, Donald and James Drexler. She is survived by other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Thursday, January 8, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via livestream.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
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