Dorothy Jeanne Pazdera Weisenfels, 88, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026 in her home. She was born December 8, 1957 in Dardanelle, Arkansas, daughter of the late Frank and Cennie Wesley Pazdera. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Weisenfels, they had fourteen wonderful years together, her brothers, George, Frank, Jr. and John and sisters, Elvenia Kunz, Helen Holland and Cecelia Johnston.
Dorothy began her education in the Dardanelle Public Schools for grades 1 – 3, transferring to St. Augustine Catholic School for grades 4 – 8. Her high school was completed at St. Scholastica Academy in Fort Smith. She earned a BSE degree from the University of Arkansas in 1971 and a Master’s degree in 1976 with additional post graduate work.
Dorothy’s teaching experience started while a member of St. Scholastica’s Covent. Her first year of teaching was at Ratcliff, Arkansas, having 17 pupils in grades 1 – 4. The next twelve years in Catholic schools were in Arkansas and Texas. Her twenty-nine years in public school included eight years at Greenwood Elementary as a third grad teacher, fourteen years as assistant principal and seven years as principal of Westwood Elementary. She retired from working in the field of education in June 2000.
Dorothy was quite active in her educational and professional organizations. ACEI was a favorite. She attended many international conferences and held local and state offices in ACEI. She served many years on the State Department of Education’s Elementary School Council. In her principal’s work, she served as AAESP Board Secretary and participated in numerous state meetings. Other organizations included Phi Delta Kappa, Greenwood Business and Professional Women and Kappa Kappa Iota. She was an active member of Saint Sabina and Mary’s Catholic Church in Jenny Lind. She was a member of Focus on Greenwood organization.
Dorothy had a “second career” following her retirement. She began working for Farmers Bank in May 2002, serving as Community Activities Officer for the bank. She worked with schools, the Little Farmers program, the senior citizens and attended innumerable community, school and civic activities. A highlight of her career with Farmers Bank was being voted Junior Officer of the Year for 2004. Dorothy retired from Farmers Bank on August 30, 2007. In 2013 she was inducted into the Greenwood School’s Hall of Honor.
Dorothy will be remembered for her love of children and people, dedication to her profession and caring for others. Smiles, cheery notes and hugs were given freely. Bulldog and Razorback sprit days were celebrations! Fishing, traveling and cooking were her favorite pastimes. She loved life and people!
She is survived by her step-daughter, Michelle Lensing and husband, Doug; four grandchildren, Ryan Lensing and wife, Rachel, Aaron Lensing and wife, Sarah, Evan Lensing and wife, Lundon and Micah Lensing; four great grandchildren; her special friends, Barry and Shirley Shepherd and their children, Adam Shepherd, Matthew Shepherd, Shawna Fowler and husband, Joseph along with their six children and one great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral mass will be 10 a.m., Saturday, January 24 at Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith with burial at Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood. Viewing will be Friday from 1 – 6:30 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home in Greenwood, where the family will visit with friends from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. A rosary will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Lensing, Evan Lensing, Ryan Lensing, Mich Lensing, Adam Shepherd and Matthew Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Lensing, Barry Shepherd, Paul Steigler, Wayland Parker, Steve Drown and Larry McGee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Sabina and Mary Church, 1301 Frank St., Barling, AR 72923, Scholastica Monastery Development Office, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913 or the Greenwood Education Foundation, 440 E. Gary St., Greenwood, AR 72936.
A special thanks to Home Instead, Heart of Hospice, Ann Vincent, Jennifer Flatt and Angela Judkins for all the loving care they provided.
