Sister Anne Heim, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on January 13, 2013 at the age of 99. She was born on July 21, 1913, in San Francisco, CA to Philip and Alice Heim. She worked as an administrative assistant for the U.S. government in Washington, DC and San Francisco. She became a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Panhandle, TX, in August, 1965. She transferred to the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in 1981 and made her final profession as a Benedictine on January 1, 1984.

She earned her B.A. in English at Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA in 1964 and her M.Ed. in Reading from West Texas University, Canyon, TX in 1979. As a Franciscan sister, she was a bookkeeper-secretary in the Children’s Home and taught in elementary schools in Dalhart, Pampa, and Borger, TX. At St. Scholastica Monastery, she taught in St. John School, Russellville; St. Boniface School, Fort Smith; and St. Vincent DePaul School, Rogers. She also served as principal at St. Joseph School, Paris. Upon her retirement from teaching in 1985, she worked as a receptionist at the Fort Smith Office on Aging until 1987. After retirement, she was secretary-bookkeeper in the retreat center office, took care of the Host Department and the Trinity Junior High School Chapel, engaged in pastoral work, and tutored for the Fort Smith Literacy Council.

Between 1986 and 1994, the monastery and the Area Agency on Aging contributed toward Sister Anne’s activity as a race walker for the Senior Olympics in city, state, and national competitions. During this time, she won 18 first place medals, two second place medals, and one third place medal for race-walking in 400, 800 and 1500 meter races and stationery cycling, all in the 75-79 year age group. She was featured on AETN TV as a senior who exemplifies physical fitness.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Philip; and two sisters, Alice Stinchcomb and Genevieve Wood. She is survived by several nephews and nieces and her monastic community.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on January 17th with Reverend David McKillin, OSB, presiding, followed by interment 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. Anne Heim’s Memory
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Sister Christine Eckart, age 92, entered into eternal life on July 14, 2014.The family of Joseph and Anna Adams Eckart welcomed their daughter, Mary Gertrude, into their family May 25, 1922 in Subiaco, Arkansas. She became a novice on June 24, 1935 and received the name of Sister Christine.

She was a woman of many talents. She taught elementary grades, was in charge of food services, gave music lessons, was a nurse practitioner from 1955-1972, and worked in pastoral ministry from 1983-1993.

She returned to St. Scholastica and served as house coordinator and procurator until 2008.

Preceding her in death are her parents, two sisters, Sister Bede Eckart and Cecelia Gorrell; five brothers, Edward, Joseph, Eugene, Father Placidus and Vincent.

Vespers for the dead will be July 17, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. In the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass will be July 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. With Rev. David McKillin as presider. Burial will be 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. Christine Eckart’s Memory
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Sister Marie Rose DeSalvo, OSB (formerly Sister Angela), 91, entered into eternal life on Saturday, August 8. A native of Center Ridge, Sister Marie Rose professed her religious vows in 1943. She taught 26 years in Catholic schools in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. In the later years of her career she felt called to social work and pastoral care. She worked as a social worker in the Diocese of Amarillo for seven years and in pastoral care ministry at St. Edward Hospital, Fort Smith 1986-97. She has resided in the monastery infirmary since 2001.

Sister Marie Rose is survived by ten sisters, Clara Granger, Emma Petty, Virginia Lambert, Patricia Hart, Delores Hartman, Margaret Hart, Christina Koch, Angela Malik, Antoinette Hall and Beatrice Miller. She is survived by two brothers, Tommy and Tony.

Preceding her in death are her parents, her step-mother, Frances, and six brothers, Abbot Raphael, Brother Tobias, Michael, Henry, Augustine, and Abraham. Pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews: Edward Granger, Peter Hart, Linda Lentz, Marietta Lemons, Eugene Malik and Hank DeSalvo.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, Aug. 17, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with her nephew, Fr. T. J. Hart, 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. Marie Rose DeSalvo’s Memory
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Sister Katherine Wewer, OSB, 87, entered into eternal life on January 12, 2015. The oldest of three children born to John and Katharine (Telaar) Wewer was born October 24, 1927 and grew up in Morrison Bluff, AR. She entered St. Scholastica Monastery in 1945, choosing the name of Sister Eugenia. In 1973, she asked to be released from her vows and worked as a dietician in North Little Rock. In 1979, she asked to be readmitted to St. Scholastica, making her first vows in 1981 and using her baptismal name of Katharine. Sister Katharine celebrated two silver jubilees (1945-72 and 1981-2006) and was a sister for a total of 59 years.

She worked in the culinary arts at Subiaco Abbey, the monastery kitchen, and St. Joseph Home for Children in North Little Rock. She also worked as a receptionist and chauffeur in the monastery. She became a patient in the infirmary in 1992.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Caspar. She is survived by one sister, Christine Wewer, and her monastic family.

The funeral Mass was celebrated on January 14, 2015 with Fr. David McKillin presiding followed by her 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. Katharine Wewer’s Memory
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At the time of her death Sister Cabrini was receiving physical therapy as a resident at Ashton Place, in Barling, Arkansas.

The family of Anthony and Bertha (Reitzke) Schmitz welcomed their daughter, Hilda Cecilia, into their family March 6, 1932 in Scranton, Arkansas. She was the second child of eleven children born to the Schmitz family.

In her senior year at St. Scholastica Academy, she entered the monastery and made her religious profession on June 24, 1951.

She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas and a Master’s Degree in Administration from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She obtained her Masters in Journalism, from Notre Dame University in Notre Dame, Indiana. She received her Clinical Pastoral Education at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Sister Cabrini served her monastic community in a variety of ministries, her primary work in both Education and Administrative positions. She was prefect and moderator of St. Scholastica Academy and Alumnae Association, and St. Anne’s in Fort Smith. She served as Administrative Assistant at St. Edward’s Hospital and was Co-Founder of St. Edward’s Hospice now Mercy Hospital, Fort Smith.

She served as the Director of St. Scholastica Monastery Retreat Center from 1990-2000.

From 2001-2009 Sister Cabrini was Prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery. She served the Diocese of Little Rock on the Sisters Senate and the Diocesan Council of Women Religious. She wrote WOMEN OF THE CHURCH a brief history of the DCWR for the Sesquicentennial project (1997-1999).

Following her time as prioress she served the community as receptionist for the monastery, including assisting the monastery secretary and performing other monastic duties for the community.

Sister Cabrini is survived by her siblings, Lawrence (Terry), Agnes (Bill) Hess, Mary Ann (Mike) Hite, Cletus (Linda), Denis (Phyllis), Susan Baltz-Schmitz, Ray (Christy), Ambrose (Mary) Schmitz and several beloved nieces and nephews and her St. Scholastica Monastery community.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Tony & Bertha Schmitz, brothers Justin, Leonard, (her sister-in-law, Claire) and Andrew Schmitz.

The funeral Mass was celebrated on January 4, 2016 with Father Jerome Kodell, OSB presiding followed by her 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. Cabrini Schmitz’s Memory
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Sister Brendan Siebenmorgen, 92, of Fort Smith died March 6, 2015, in St. Scholastica Monastery. She was received as novice on June 24, 1947, and received the name of Sister Brendan. She was a nurse and worked in hospitals in Booneville, Missouri, Morrilton, Clarksville and Dermott in Arkansas.

She is survived by eight sisters, Sister Herman Marie SSND, Sister Dolores Marie SSND, Catherine Pinter, Teresa Siebenmorgen, Mary Davis, Rose Nelson, Dolores Land and Bertha Gottsponer; and two brothers, Greg and Lawrence.

The funeral Mass was celebrated on March 10, 2015 with Fr. David McKillin presiding followed by her 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. Brendan Siebenmorgen’s Memory
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Sister Rosarita Huber, 87, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away May 7, 2016 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The family of George and Sophie Huber welcomed their daughter, Gertrude Louise, into their family on September 24, 1928 in Subiaco, Arkansas.

She attended St. Scholastica Academy and entered St. Scholastica Monastery making her religious profession on June 24, 1948, taking the name Sister Mary Rosarita. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in music with the emphasis in organ, and a minor in education from Webster College, in Webster Groves, Missouri. Subsequently she earned her masters from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana in education.

She began her 48-year teaching career in 1948, serving in St. Scholastica School, St. Boniface School, St. Scholastica Academy, St. Edward School, Subiaco Academy, and St. Scholastica Education Center. From 1970 to 1996, she taught at Howard and Tilles Public Schools in Fort Smith.

She was a gifted musician and served the community as organist, music teacher and choral director. After retiring from teaching Sister Rosarita served the community as the manager of the monastery laundry from 2001-2016.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Sophie, two siblings, Sisters Herbert Huber and Marie Huber, OSB and her brother-in-law Aloys.

She is survived by the sisters of her community; brothers, Herbert J. Huber Stan A. Huber; and sister Therese Hoelzeman; her sisters-in-law, Brenda and Heidi; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 10, 2016 with Father Leslie Farley, St. Scholastica Monastery chaplain, as 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. Rosarita Huber’s Memory
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Sister Josita Nahlen, OSB, 99, who entered into eternal life on October 16, 2016, answered God’s call to religious life twice. She first entered St. Scholastica Monastery on August 30, 1934, but during her novitiate was called home to Conway to raise eight younger brothers and sisters after her mother’s death. Several years later, after her father married her Aunt Annie, she heard God’s call again, and felt peaceful and determined to return to St. Scholastica. She made her religious profession on June 24, 1942.

Sister Josita spent 47 years as an elementary school teacher and principal, earning her bachelor’s degree in Education from Quincy College during this time. She taught at St. Anthony’s School in Ratcliff; Sacred Heart School in Charleston; Holy Redeemer School in Clarksville; St. Joseph’s School in Pilot Grove, MO; Sts. Cyril and Methodius School in Slovac; St. Francis de Sales School in Lebanon, MO; and Archbishop O’Brien School in Russellville. She spent 33 years at her last assignment at St. John’s School and Church in Russellville, after her retirement as principal; she continued to work as the Director of Religious Education, then as an Assistant Director of Education for several more years.

During her retirement at the monastery Sister Josita enjoyed managing the monastery periodical room, sewing, and making arts and crafts for the gift shop. As she grew older, she lost her hearing, but kept a white board by her side so she could have conversations with her visitors.

Sister Josita is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, T. J. and Mary Ann Nahlen; and a sister, Anna Marie Gunderman, all from Conway, Arkansas; many nieces and nephews; and her religious community.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Joseph and Christine Nahlen; her stepmother, Anna Nahlen; four brothers, Clarence, Tony, Andrew, and Joseph; and two sisters, Gertrude and Theresa.

Vespers for the Dead was held Thursday, October 20, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass was celebrated October 21, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. with her great-nephew Father Jason Tyler presiding, followed by her 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. Josita Nahlen’s Memory
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