Sister Adrian Wewers OSB

Sister Adrian Wewers, age 95, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, died August 16, 2024, at Ashton Place Manor in Barling, Arkansas. Sister Adrian was born November 25, 1928, in Morrison Bluff, Arkansas, and named Hedwig Ann. She entered the monastery in 1945, joining her aunt, Sister Benita Wewers. She became a novice on June 24, 1946, when she was given the name Sister Adrian. She made temporary profession in 1948 and final profession in 1952.

Sister Adrian’s first desire was to be a nurse but was told there was a greater need for teachers. She received her degree in elementary education from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas. Sister Adrian taught primary grades in Dardanelle, Barling, Russellville, Paris, and St. Joseph Home in North Little Rock in Arkansas, in Pilot Grove, Missouri, and in Nazareth, Texas for 36 years. She taught in Nazareth for 21 years. Sister Adrian said the most challenging and joyful part of teaching was preparing her students for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Wherever she taught, she loved her students, and her students loved her. After retiring from teaching, Sister Adrian lived at the monastery where she drove Sisters to their appointments and helped wherever needed.

Sister Adrian was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and Arkansas Razorbacks and enjoyed watching movies with the community. She faithfully kept in contact with her family and friends and loved spending time with her family. In her later years, she spent much time praying and reading the Bible, developing a close personal relationship with Jesus.

Sister Adrian was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Stephanie Seiter Wewers; her birth mother, Anna Lensing Wewers, who died in childbirth; her sisters, Benita Siebenmorgen and husband, Tony; and Sister Mary Ruth Wewers; her brothers, Joe Wewers and Harold Wewers; and her brothers-in-law, Herbert Stengel, Bill Edelhuber, Ray Ahlert and Pat Bentley. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Edelhuber, Wilma Ahlert; Sarah Wewers; Patricia Reid and husband John; and Debbie Bentley; her beloved nieces and nephews; her Benedictine Sisters; and many former students.

A Vesper Service will be at 7:30 p.m. on August 30, 2024, and a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on August 31, 2024, with Father Joseph Chan as presider. Burial will follow in St. Scholastica Monastery Cemetery. Her nephews will be the pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery’s Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.