Category: Sisters Laid to Rest

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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Sister Elizabeth Rossi, OSB, 91, passed away October 24, 2017. She was born on April 16, 1926 to Paul Rossi and Jane DeSalvo Rossi and was given the name Grace Helen. She grew up on a farm in Center Ridge, AR with her five sisters and three brothers. Upon being received at St. Scholastica Convent June 24, 1944, she took the name Sister Mary Elizabeth Rossi. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, TX and a Master’s degree in Education at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Sister Elizabeth spent 45 years teaching elementary school in St. Boniface School in Fort Smith, Archbishop O’Brien School in Russellville, St. Edward School in Little Rock, St. Joseph School in Fayetteville, and several other schools in Arkansas and Missouri. She served as the community’s subprioress from 1977-81. Upon moving back to the monastery, she became house coordinator for the Sisters before retiring to the Infirmary and then Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab. Sister Elizabeth is survived by a brother, Pete Rossi, and a sister, Bernadine Rossi Noll.

Preceding her in death are her parents; four sisters: Sister Mary Paul Rossi, Annie Rossi, Josie Rossi, and Madeline Rossi; and two brothers, Tony Rossi and Angelo Rossi. Her nieces and nephews served as pallbearers.

Vespers for the Dead were prayed on October 30, 2017 and her funeral Mass was celebrated October 31, 2017, with Father Les Farley 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. Elizabeth Rossi’s Memory
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Sister Anne Michele Raley, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, passed away on March 6, 2017. In her 66 years of religious life she was a teacher, monastery treasurer, secretary, bookkeeper, and a strong advocate for peace and social justice. Her passion for justice was nurtured through jobs in Friendship House, ACORN, St. Joseph’s Day Care Center, and Heifer, Inc. In retirement she served on the monastery social concerns committee, witnessed for peace each Sunday afternoon during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and sought justice for all God’s children, especially those marginalized by society.

She was born July 10, 1924 to Thomas and Anna Raley, growing up with three brothers and four sisters in Paragould, Ark. She entered St. Scholastica Monastery in 1948, earned a business degree from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Tx. and taught for sixteen years at St. Scholastica Academy; St. Edward School, Little Rock; St. Mary School, Barling; and St. Vincent School, Rogers. After serving five years as her community treasurer, Sister Anne Michele began a thirty-year career as a secretary in bookkeeper in Chicago, Kansas City, and Little Rock. From 1978-98, she worked at St. Joseph’s Day Care Center in North Little Rock.

In addition to her social justice work, Sister Anne served the community in retirement as a receptionist and mail clerk. In the last four months of her life she lived at Chapel Ridge Nursing Home in Fort Smith. At her sixtieth jubilee Sister Anne Michele said, “I have been blessed and challenged to a greater awareness of God and my calling to be of service,” and was fired by that passion for more than ninety years.

Sister Anne Michele is survived by three brothers: James John, Paragould, AR; Joseph Ronald, Tularosa, NM; and Howard Thomas, Atlanta, GA. Preceding her in death are her parents; and four sisters: Pauline Raley, Anna Loretta Raley, Francine Raley Hayden, and Virginia Raley Mullins.

Vespers for the Dead were held March 12, 2017 in the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass was celebrated March 13, 2017 with Fr. Les Farley 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. Anne Michele Raley’s Memory
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Sister Rose Maria Birkenfeld, 86, passed away January 27, 2018 at Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

She was born on September 13, 1931 in Amarillo, Texas. Upon being received as a novice at St. Scholastica Convent on December 13, 1949, she took the name Sister Mary Martin Birkenfeld. Sister Rose Maria served in St. John’s in Fort Smith, Crawford County Hospital in Van Buren, St. Joseph’s Orphanage in North Little Rock, Holy Rosary School in Stuttgart, Arkansas and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Boonville, Missouri. In 1969, she became a charter member of the new foundation of Our Lady of Peace Monastery in Columbia, Missouri, the first daughter-house of St. Scholastica Monastery. Sister Rose Maria served the Sisters of Our Lady of Peace Monastery as procurator and subprioress. She loved her work in parish ministry in Effingham, IL before she was elected to be prioress from 1999 to 2003. After her term as prioress until 2008 she was the Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Minister at St. Joseph’s in Pilot Grove, MO, St. Mary’s in Shelbina, St. Peter in Marshall, MO, and St. Boniface in Koeltztown, MO and other surrounding parishes. She held Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Religious Studies and a Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. After she returned to St. Scholastica, she taught formation classes, co-directed the oblate program, and worked in the monastery gift shop. She resided in the monastery infirmary and later at Chapel Ridge Health and Rehab.

Sister Rose Maria is survived by two brothers, Howard (sister-in-law Annette) and Martin (sister-in-law Loretta); a sister, Sister Alice O’Brien, OSB; many beloved nieces and nephews; and her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Charles Birkenfeld.

Sister Rose Maria’s funeral Mass was celebrated in the monastery chapel on January 31, 2018, with Father John Schmitz presiding, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P O Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

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