Sister Dora Zapf

Sister-Dora-Zapf-SDS

Sister Dora Zapf, SDS has slowed her pace since retiring last June, but slowing down is a relative thing. For 42 years, Sr. Dora sifted through mounds of donations at Salvatorian Mission Warehouse in New Holstein, Wis. She helped sort and pack donated goods to ship to missions all over the world. When the warehouse opened, Sr. Dora was on the receiving end in Tanzania, East Africa. Back then, she unpacked clothing, medical supplies, foodstuffs and toiletries for delivery to sites with the greatest need. In 1973, Sr. Dora came to the U.S. to serve at the warehouse.

Sr. Dora was born in Germany and completed her Salvatorian formation there. After four years in England to learn English, she went to Tanzania where English-speaking Salvatorian Sisters ran a primary school. Sr. Dora served as a housemother for boarding students, and shopped for electrical parts and other supplies for missions in the rural southern region. She also taught Tanzanian girls sewing, first aid and other domestic skills, and coordinated the kitchen and workers at the Nandembo mission.  From 12 years serving in Africa, Sr. Dora understands the great need Salvatorian Mission Warehouse helps to fill. Today, Sr. Dora remains in New Holstein and offers pastoral care to people who are homebound or living in assisted or nursing care facilities.