SISTER JOVITA STENGEL

Sister Jovita Stengel, OSB, 94, of St. Scholastica Monastery, entered into eternal life on July 4, 2013. She was born Wilhemina Eva Stengel on September 7, 1918, receiving the name of Sister Jovita on the day of her religious profession, June 24, 1938. She recently celebrated her 75th year of religious life.

Sister Jovita spent her 59-year career in domestic and culinary service at Subiaco Abbey, Bishop Fletcher’s residence and St. Edward School, Little Rock; St. Joseph School in Paris; St. Joseph Orphanage in North Little Rock; St. Scholastica Academy and St. Boniface School in Fort Smith; Holy Rosary School in Stuttgart; and Holy Family School in Nazareth, TX. In her later years she was manager of the monastery dining room and caretaker for the monastery’s getaway house in Hackett. Most recently she resided in the monastery infirmary.

Sister Jovita was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Elizabeth Stengel; one sister, Sister Marcella Stengel, OSB; and four brothers, Edward, Paul, Gerald and Herbert.

Vespers for the dead were held on July 7. in the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass was held July 8 with Fr. Mark Stengel, OSB, Sister Jovita’s nephew, presiding, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.

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