Author: Stephanie Nugent

Sister Hermana Siebenmorgen, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, a retired teacher and principal, entered into eternal life on November 22, 2011 at the age of 94. She was born on September 6, 1917 in Morrison Bluff, AR to Anton and Anna Siebenmorgen. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1933 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1936. She earned her B.S.E. in Education at Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Ks. in 1961, and did graduate study in Library Science at University of Arkansas Conway and Little Rock. She taught for 57 years at Holy Redeemer School, Clarksville; St. Boniface School, Fort Smith; and St. Mary School, Lake Village. The last 34 years of her teaching career (1959-1993) were spent as teacher and principal of St. Edward School, Little Rock. She retired to the monastery in 1993 and assisted her community in many different ways.

She is preceded in death by her parents; four sisters—Ida Hunt, Helen Wewers, Louise Mikijanis, and Antonia Standley; and four brothers—Leo, Lawrence, Stever, and Edward. She is survived by one sister, Martha Vorster, Fort Smith; one brother, Fred Siebenmorgen, Fort Smith; and nieces and nephews.

Vespers for the dead were held on November 24, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel. The Funeral Mass was held on November 25 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. David McKillin 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. Hermana Siebenmorgen’s Memory
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Sister Consuella Bauer, OSB, entered into eternal life on January 3, 2011. In July, 2010, she celebrated 75 years of religious life. She was born on July 29, 1916 in Morrison Bluff, Arkansas to Marcus and Frances Bauer. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1931 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1935. Sister Consuella, a teacher and school administrator, earned her B.A. in Latin, with minors in French, English, and Education at Marymount College, Salina, Kansas in 1942.

She earned her M.A. in Latin, with a minor in Greek, at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC in 1956. She taught in elementary schools in Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas from 1935-47. From 1947-68, she taught English and Latin at St. Scholastica Academy, Fort Smith, also serving as principal for the last nine years of its history. Her advocacy resulted in St. Scholastica Academy’s becoming the first desegregated high school in Arkansas, several years before Little Rock Central was desegregated. When the academy closed in 1968, she served as principal in St. Gabriel School, Kansas City for four years. She returned to teach a final year in St. Anne’s Academy, Fort Smith from 1972-73.

She moved to Little Rock in 1973, serving as Diocesan Superintendent of Schools from 1973-77 and as Diocesan Director of Religious Education from 1977-1985. She then continued to serve in religion and parish work at St. Mary Church, North Little Rock.

Sister Consuella was a gifted poet who, in her later years, enjoyed corresponding with the many students she had mentored as a high school journalism teacher. She continued her interest and advocacy for social justice after her retirement.

Vespers for the Dead and the sharing of memories were held on Tuesday, January 4 at St. Scholastica Monastery. Monsignor John O’Donnell presided over her funeral Mass on Wednesday, January 5. She was buried in St. Scholastica Cemetery.

She is survived by one brother, Linus and his wife Veronica Bauer of Little Rock; two sisters, Pat Presley of Southport, NC, and Connie Bulmaski and her husband Joe of Little Rock; one brother-in-law, Fred Woeltje of Morrison Bluff; nieces, nephews and her religious family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Regina, Cecilia Krallman, Marie Woeltje, Helen Moore; and one brother, Roman Bauer.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Consuella Bauer’s Memory
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Sister Richard Walter, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on March 1, 2012 at the age of 96. She was born on November 25, 1915 in Conway, Arkansas, to John and Josephine Walter. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1937. During her career she was a cook and housekeeper in Immaculate Heart Church, Marche; St. Joseph School, Paris; and Bishop Albert Fletcher’s residence, Little Rock, where she served for eight years. In 1957 she returned to manage the monastery kitchen, a position she served in until her retirement in 1994. Sister Richard’s dinners were known for their beautiful presentation. The sisters who enjoyed her cooking will always remember her southern fried chicken.

An accomplished gardener, Sister Richard planted rows of azaleas outside the monastery kitchen.

She is survived by six sisters, Margaret Parks, Frances McCaig, Mary Stephens, Hilda Hoyt, Martha Lock and Josephine Wood; two brothers, Johnnie and Fred; numerous nieces and nephews; and the members of her monastic community. Preceding her in death were her parents and four brothers, Diederich, Pete, Ed, and Martin.

Vespers for the dead were prayed on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Monastery Chapel. The funeral Mass was held March 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Monastery Chapel with the Rev. David McKillin, OSB 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. Richard Walter’s Memory
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Sister Herbert Huber, OSB, 91, died July 18, 2012. She was born October 24, 1920 in Oesbach, Baden, Germany, moving to the United States with her parents, George and Sophie Huber, as a toddler. She entered St. Scholastica Convent on September 2, 1935 and made her religious profession in 1939. She was an elementary school teacher for 53 years who , after retirement, served as a tutor and monastery chauffeur. She held a Bachelor’s degree in German from Mount St. Scholastica College, Atchison, Ks. and a Master’s degree in German from Stanford University.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Rosarita Huber, OSB of St. Scholastica Monastery and Therese Hoelzeman of Morillton; two brothers, Herbert Huber of Subiaco and Stanley Huber of Chicago, Ill.; numerous nieces and nephews and her religious community.

Sister Herbert was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Sister Marie Huber, OSB.

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.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Herbert Huber’s Memory
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Sister Virginia Ann (Ginger) deGravelle, OSB, 72, died Wednesday, March 21, 2012, in St. Scholastica Monastery.  Virginia Ann deGravelle was born November 10, 1939, in Lafayette, La. to George and Marie Billeaud deGravelle.  She attended University of Louisiana—Layafette, majoring in Accounting and Business.  She worked as an accountant and as director of volunteers for a hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana until she was 50.  Sister Ginger entered St. Scholastica Monastery in September, 1993. She worked in the monastery business office, served as treasurer for six years, took care of the medical bills for the sisters and was on the Governing Board of St. Anthony/St. Vincent Morrilton Medical Center for two years.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sister Ginger is survived by one sister, Nancy Zembower and her husband, Gayle; one brother, George deGravelle and his wife Debbie; one niece; two nephews; and her religious family.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on March 24 with Reverend David McKillin, OSB, presiding, followed by interment in the monastery cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.

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.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. Ginger deGravelle’s Memory
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Sister DeChantal Hyland, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on February 15, 2012 at the age of 105. Sister de Chantal was born in Nazareth, Tx. on October 7, 1906 to Joseph and Frances McCormick Hyland. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1923 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1925. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Marymount College, Salina, KS in 1939 and her Master’s degree in English from the University of Texas in 1947.

Sister DeChantal taught for 56 years in both public and Catholic schools in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas, including St. Ignatius, Scranton; St. Boniface, Fort Smith; St. Edward, Little Rock; Holy Rosary, Stuttgart; St. Joseph, Paris; and Immaculate Conception, Moberly, Mo. She also taught 20 years in the Nazareth, Tx. public school system. She was principal at St. Theresa, Little Rock from 1971-76 and St. Joseph, Paris from 1976-1979.

After her retirement she continued to teach part-time in the Resource Room at St. Boniface School, and continued to tutor students privately until she was 95 years old.

She continued to take an active interest in her community and the world until a few months before her death, reading the newspaper, especially the sports pages, after prayer, Mass, and breakfast each morning. She was an avid fan of the Razorbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals.

She is survived by two sisters, Sister Frances Ann Braddock, OSB of the monastery and Joyce Tingle of Arlington, Tx; one brother, Brother Gerald Hyland, SM of St. Louis, Mo. Sister DeChantal was preceded in death by her parents, seven sisters, Amy Kuster, Sister Roberta Hyland, OSB, Joan Homan, Catherine Hyland, Ruth Hyland, Maureen Schwaller and Rita Johnson; and four brothers, Pat, Bert, Father Fred and Gary.

Vespers for the dead were prayed on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the monastery chapel.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913.Donate In Sr. DeChantal Hyland’s Memory
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Sister Valeria Moellers, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, a retired Music teacher, entered into eternal life on October 17, 2013 at the age of 98. She was born on February 26, 1915 in Fort Smith, AR to John and Mary Rose Moellers. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1937. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at the American Conservatory, Chicago, IL in 1955 and her Master’s Degree in Music Theory at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in 1963. She taught elementary Music for twenty years at St. Joseph School, Paris; St. Boniface School, Fort Smith; Our Lady of the Lake School, Lake Village; St. Edward School, Little Rock. She taught Music at St. Scholastica Academy for sixteen years. In 1972 she retired from school teaching but continued to teach piano privately until her retirement to the monastery in 1992.

In 2005, when her vision failed and she could no longer accompany the sisters during Mass and prayers, she continued to “coach” piano to the younger sisters. Four of the sisters she coached—Sisters Pat Bolling, Alice O’Brien, Therese Moreno, and Barbara Bock—are now playing the Liturgy of the Hours at the monastery. Many of Sister Valeria’s students came back to visit and renewed their fond memories of her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and two sisters, and is survived by the members of her monastic community.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Scholastica Continuing Care Fund, P. O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913. Donate In Sr. Valeria Moellers’s Memory
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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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Sister Irma Twenter, OSB, of St. Scholastica Monastery, Fort Smith, entered into eternal life on April 5, 2013 at the age of 101. She was born on April 3, 1912 in Clear Creek, Mo. to John and Magdalena Twenter. She entered St. Scholastica Convent in 1934 and made her monastic profession on June 24, 1937. She worked as a housekeeper and cook in Catholic parishes, schools, and hospitals in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, including six years at St. Mary School, Lake Village; and several years each in Crawford County Hospital, Van Buren; St. Joseph School, Billings, Mo.; St. Joseph School, Amarillo, Tx.; St. Mary School, Altus; and St. Boniface Church, Fort Smith. From 1974-81 she served as the monastery seamstress. From 1988-93 she resided at St. Mary Parish, Helena, Arkansas, working in rural ministry, where she started quilting groups. Since 1993 she has lived in the monastery infirmary. During her retirement Sister Irma developed her artistic talents, painting landscapes and abstract art and designing hand painted greeting cards.

She is survived by one brother, Alfred; her nieces and nephews; and members of the monastic community. Sister Irma was preceded in death by four sisters: Frances Gerke, Emma Vollmer, Martha Vollmer, and Alice Marie Twenter; and four brothers: Anton Twenter, Carl Twenter, Urban Twenter and William Twenter.

Her funeral Mass was celebrated on April 9, 2013 at St. Scholastica Monastery with Fr. Hugh Assenmacher, OSB presiding.

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