Category: Sisters Laid to Rest

Sr. Frances made her religious profession August 26, 1928 and recently celebrated her 75th Jubilee. She began her teaching at Prairie View, AR and eventually taught at our Academy. In 1938 she began schooling for a nursing degree, which she earned in 1941. Later that year she passed boards for her RN license in Missouri, and in 1943 received her Arkansas RN license. Subsequently she worked in many of our hospitals, and was for a while the Academy hurse and also joined the Infirmary staff. After retiring in 1985, she participated in various activities and work here at the Monastery.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews, and her sisters in community.

After making her religious profession on June 24, 1925, Sr. Florence was missioned as a teacher for many years. In addition to regular classes, she introduced many students to music, sewing, dancing and directed plays.

Sr. Florence is survived by three sisters: Loretta Meeks of Huffman, TX, Laura Karr of Chico, CA, Stella McGrath of St. Louis, MO, and also by her sisters in community.

Sr. Columba served as Prioress here at St. Scholastica Monastery from 1967 to 1977. For many years she was Administrator at various of our hospitals: St. Mary’s Hospital in Dermott, AR, St. Joseph’s Hospital in Boonville, MO, Crawford Memorial Hospital in Van Buren, AR, and Conway County Hospital in Morrilton, AR.

She was a charter member of Project Compassion, which has offices in our Retreat Center, and she reactivated the Benedictine Oblate Program.

Sr. Columba is survived by two sisters, Frances Walter of Little Rock and Lillian Stepsland of LaMirado, CA, and also by her religious community.

Sr. Charlene made her religious profession June 24, 1941. She worked approximately forty years at St. Joseph Orphanage, later St. Joseph Day Care, where she enriched the lives of many youngsters with her encouragement, support, and love.

She is survived by four sisters: Ida Schumaker of Hereford, TX, Rosella Aichlmayr of Salem, OR, Gertrude DeButts of Lebanon, OR, and Mathilda Anderle of Nazareth, TX; four brothers: W.L. and Bennie Lindeman, both of Windthorst, TX, Charles Lindeman of Columbus, OH, and Joe Lindeman of Archer City, TX; and many nieces and nephews, as well as her sisters in community.

Sr. Stella made her religious profession on June 24,1934. Her love for reading called her to be a librarian. She served the Fort Smith Library from 1978 to 1984, and was a part-time librarian at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center from 1984 to 1993.

Her monastic career also involved teaching grade school and high school levels in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas.

She is survived by a sister, Mildred Pugh of Stigler, OK; and sisters of her religious community.

After making her final profession on June 24, 1932, Sr. Mary Paul had a varied career in her monastic life. She served as housekeeper for sisters on mission, cooked at our Orphanage, but her favorite work was nursing. After earning her LPN degree, she was a most conscientious care-taker, often working after hours to be certain her patients were as comfortable as possible. Sr. Mary Paul was also a particularly generous person and loved sharing whatever she had, even if it was only a hug, smile or words of encouragement to those with whom she came in contact.

Sr. Mary Paul is survived by two sisters, Sr. Elizabeth Rossi of St. Scholastica Monastery, and Bernardine Noll of Morrilton; a sister-in-law, Delores Rossi Olshove of Center Ridge; two brothers, Angelo Rossi of Jacksonville and Pete Rossi of Center Ridge; numerous nieces and nephews; and the sisters of her religious community.

Sr. Mary John made her religious profession on June 24, 1929. She had been the eldest sister in community for a number of years.

She loved the outdoors and spent most of her years as a gardener and groundskeeper. Many of our older trees were planted by Sr. Mary John. She grew medicinal herbs and made all manner of balms, salves and cough syrups which were used by the community. She frequently entertained the community and any guests visiting with her by singing songs in the German language and playing her harmonica.

She is survived by a large family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and also by her sisters in community.

Sr. Marietta made her religious profession on June 24, 1949 and was a teacher for many years. She was in parish work at St. John Church in Russellville just before returning to the Monastery.

She is survived by four sisters: Sr. Barbara Schroeder, Sr. Stephanie Schroeder, and Sr. Regina Schroeder, all of Fort Smith, AR, and Mary Lehman of St. Louis, MO; four brothers: Elmer Schroeder of Windthorst, TX, George Schroeder of Leominster, MA, Bernard Schroeder of Shawnee, KS, and Ray Schroeder of Kansas City, MO, in addition to the sisters of her religious community.

Sr. Marcella made her religious profession on June 24, 1935 and earned both a B.S. Ed. and a M.S. Ed. She taught elementary school for fifty years, serving in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. After retiring from the classroom, she was sacristan at St. Scholastica Monastery and also served as Bethany House caretaker.

She is survived by a sister, Sr. Jovita Stengel of St. Scholastic Monastery, many nephews and nieces, and sisters of her religious community.

Sr. Immaculata was a graduate of Avila College in Kansas City, MO, and her long career as an elementary teacher covered three states: Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. After retiring in 1987 she returned to the Monastery

She is survived by three sisters: Rita Milton of Bridgeport, TX, Magdalen Michalik of Munday, TX, and Kay Gallagher of Asheville, NC, and the sisters in her religious community.