Sister Leonella made her monastic profession in 1936 and earned her master’s degree in history from Creighton University in Omaha. Her 42-year teaching career included assignments in Prairie View, Charleston, Scranton, Altus, St. Vincent, Rogers, Subiaco, Tontitown, Clarksville, all in AR, and Pilot Grove, MO. She spent several years working as the monastery’s librarian and archivist. In 1999 she retired to spend her time as part of the prayer team.

Her cousin, Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB of Subiaco Abbey, presided at the funeral Mass.

She is survived by three brothers, Edwin Spanke of Schereville, IN, Theodore Spanke of Indianapolis, IN, and Francis Spanke of Overland Park, KS, and by her sisters in community.

The native of St. Francis, Texas made her monastic profession in 1955. For the past fifteen years she was director of maintenance and housekeeping at St. Scholastica Center. Previously, she was on staff at St. Joseph Home in No. Little Rock from 1958 until 1986, serving as the director of the orphanage’s girls’ department from 1958 to 1971. She earned a degree in music therapy and worked in nursing homes and the Booneville Development Center. She was the guitarist for monastery liturgies.

She is survived by five sisters, Mary Wieck and Lillian Friemel, both of Canyon, TX, Margaret Bertrand of Amarillo, TX, Sister Teresa Grabber, CCVI of San Antonio, TX and Bernice Grabber-Tintes of Belgrade,MN; four brothers, Bernard Grabber and Edward Grabber, both of Canyon, TX, John Grabber of Umbarger, TX, and Eugene Grabber of Garden City Beach, SC; and by her sisters in community.

Sr. Concetta made her religious profession on June 24, 1938. She was assigned to St. Joseph’s Orphanage in North Little Rock from 1938-1962, where she was house mother for the young boys. She then returned to Ft. Smith, serving as manager of the Academy Girls’ Dining Room till 1966. Sr. Concetta again served St. Joseph’s from 1970-97. In addition, in the early 70’s she helped establish and became Director of the Westside Clinic, which served the poor, in Little Rock.

She is survived by four sisters, Dell Mazzanti of Lake Village, Margaret Agussi of Cleveland, MS, Lena Mazzanti of Little Rock, and Catherine DiStrito of Goulds, FL; and four brothers, Joe Mazzanti of Lake Village, Edwin Mazzanti of Virginia Beach, VA, John Mazzanti of Norfolk, VA, and Pete Mazzanti of Laurel, MS; and by her sisters in community.

Sister Bernice Kraus, who made her monastic profession on June 24, 1934, was a childcare provider at St. Joseph’s Orphange in Little Rock. Later, at home in the monastery, she served the community as mail distributor.

She is survived by the sisters of her religious community; two sisters, Julia Horton of Pilot Grove, MO, and Pauline Richardson of Booneville; and a brother, Edgar Kraus of Pilot Grove.

Sister Benita Wewers was a teacher in parochial schools in Little Rock, Fayetteville and St. Scholastica Academy in Fort Smith. She made her religious profession on June 24,1934. She was prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery from 1959-63. For many years she was in charge of Teenage Religious Education (TARE) for Catholic high school students in the Fort Smith area. She was involved in the Scripture Study Program of the Diocese of Little Rock.

She is survived by the sisters of her religious community; a brother, Lawrence Wewers of Fort Smith; several nieces, nephews and cousins.