SISTER CONSUELLA BAUER

Sister Consuella Bauer, OSB, entered into eternal life on January 3, 2011. In July, 2010, she celebrated 75 years of religious life. She was born on July 29, 1916 in Morrison Bluff, Arkansas to Marcus and Frances Bauer. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1931 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1935. Sister Consuella, a teacher and school administrator, earned her B.A. in Latin, with minors in French, English, and Education at Marymount College, Salina, Kansas in 1942.

She earned her M.A. in Latin, with a minor in Greek, at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC in 1956. She taught in elementary schools in Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas from 1935-47. From 1947-68, she taught English and Latin at St. Scholastica Academy, Fort Smith, also serving as principal for the last nine years of its history. Her advocacy resulted in St. Scholastica Academy’s becoming the first desegregated high school in Arkansas, several years before Little Rock Central was desegregated. When the academy closed in 1968, she served as principal in St. Gabriel School, Kansas City for four years. She returned to teach a final year in St. Anne’s Academy, Fort Smith from 1972-73.

She moved to Little Rock in 1973, serving as Diocesan Superintendent of Schools from 1973-77 and as Diocesan Director of Religious Education from 1977-1985. She then continued to serve in religion and parish work at St. Mary Church, North Little Rock.

Sister Consuella was a gifted poet who, in her later years, enjoyed corresponding with the many students she had mentored as a high school journalism teacher. She continued her interest and advocacy for social justice after her retirement.

Vespers for the Dead and the sharing of memories were held on Tuesday, January 4 at St. Scholastica Monastery. Monsignor John O’Donnell presided over her funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 5. She was buried in St. Scholastica Cemetery.

She is survived by one brother, Linus and his wife Veronica Bauer of Little Rock; two sisters, Pat Presley of Southport, NC, and Connie Bulmaski and her husband Joe of Little Rock; one brother-in-law, Fred Woeltje of Morrison Bluff; nieces, nephews and her religious family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Regina, Cecilia Krallman, Marie Woeltje, Helen Moore; and one brother, Roman Bauer.

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