SISTER ANITA BERKEMEYER

Sister Anita Berkemeyer, OSB, 90, of Fort Smith passed away Friday, June 26, 2009 in St. Scholastica Monastery. She was born November 7, 1918 in Atkins, Arkansas to Clemence and Mary Elizabeth Berkemeyer. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas in 1963 and taught elementary school for over 40 years at Sacred Heart School, Charleston; St. Edward School, Little Rock; St. Benedict School, Subiaco; Sts. Peter and Paul School, Morrison Bluff; St. Joseph School, Fayetteville; St. Gabriel School, Kansas City; St. Vincent de Paul School, Rogers; St. Teresa School, Little Rock; and the Nazareth, Texas public schools. After her retirement from teaching in 1987, she served as the monastery’s Oblate Director and ministered to the sick and shut-ins at St. Joseph Church, Paris.

Sister Anita loved acting, singing and dancing and enjoyed performing in monastery skits.  She was also a self-taught accomplished hair stylist.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Carl and Bernard Berkemeyer and Sister Herman Joseph Berkemeyer.

Vespers were held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 29, 2009 at St. Scholastica Monastery. Her funeral Mass was held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in the Monastery Chapel.  She was buried in St. Scholastica Cemetery.

She is survived by three brothers: Herman Berkemeyer of Lake Village, Arkansas; Raymond Berkemeyer of Morrilton, Arkansas; and John Berkemeyer of Atkins, Arkansas; seven sisters: Marie Beck of Conway, Arkansas; Louise Sponer of Hattieville, Arkansas; Rita Rehm of Perry, Arkansas; Helen Ward of Morrilton, Arkansas; Paula Patton of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Marilyn Riedmueller of Morrilton, Arkansas; Pat Stout of Morrilton, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews and her Religious Community.

Her nieces and nephews served as pallbearers.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Anita Berkemeyer’s Memory
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