Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1939
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Macrina Wiederkehr Obituary
Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, age 80, died April 24, 2020, at St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith. The family of Henry Wiederkehr and Marion (Eveld) Wiederkehr welcomed their daughter, Martha Ann, into their family on July 28, 1939, in Altus. Upon being received at St. Scholastica Convent on June 24, 1957, she took the name Sister Mary Macrina Wiederkehr. Sister Macrina taught at St. Boniface School in Bigelow, St. Joseph School in Ada, Okla., and St. Gabriel School in Kansas City, Mo., and served at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Lebanon, Mo., Springfield, Mo. Branson, Mo., El Dorado, Mo., Marshfield, Mo., and Ozark, Mo., and St. Thomas Newman Center in Fayetteville. She served as a vocation director, retreat director and spiritual director at St. Scholastica Monastery and Center and in the diaconate ministry for the Diocese of Little Rock. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at Mount Angel College in Oregon and her master's degree in religious education at St. Thomas University in Houston. She was the beloved author of nine books.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Raymond and Basil Wiederkehr; and two sisters, Henriette Ann and Dorothy Alice Wiederkehr.
She is survived by a brother, Joseph Wiederkehr; two sisters, Edna O'Neill and Mary Lou Bennett; her beloved nieces; and members of her Benedictine family.
Mass for Christian Burial for Sister Macrina will be held at a later date. Please remember Sister Macrina in your prayers.
Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary in Fort Smith.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, 1315 S. Albert Pike Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903.
To send an online tribute, go to www.fentressmortuary.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Macrina Wiederkehr
Sponsored by Fentress Mortuary - CLOSED.
Adrienne Laravuso
April 1, 2022
Just learned that sr Macrina died in 2020! I read her reflection "Do Not Lose Heart" in Give us this day our daily bread and loved it! I have many of her books and I appreciated her ministry. WELL DONE! May she Rest In Peace.
Leonard Ancona
August 19, 2021
Beloved sister. Your additions to "living with Christ were good for the world. Thank you dear sister. Thank you again. Pray for us. Please
Leonard Ancona
Paula Strupeck Gardner
March 18, 2021
I´m so sorry to learn of Sr Macrina´s passing. Her words help my soul to sing. And I´m sad to have missed the opportunity to meet her. Each time I practice a sacred pause, I will hold her in my heart as well as you who love her. May her memories be blessings.
Sheila Bourelly
March 11, 2021
My early meeting with Sr. Macrina took place at the Norbertine Abbey while attending her Heart of the Hunter retreat in 1995. As an only African American and lay person attending - all the other attendants were nuns- her message to me as both hunter and hunted, rest in my memory all these years, just as she does. I wanted to write and tell her how significant she was to me, but through hesitation, I missed the opportunity to be big vs. small. Belated thanks Macrina!
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Sr Patricia Kirk, OSB
August 7, 2020
This is a belated response to the death of Sr Macrina W. Though I only met Sr Macrina once when I visited the community for a Vocation Directors meeting, she was striking in her bright and welcoming way. I do spiritual direction as well as being Prioress. Macrina's poetry and writings touched many people. I am grateful for her presence in this world so in need of LIGHT which she brought to a better world. Peace!
Sister Margaret Faist
June 18, 2020
I feel so blessed to have been in Macrina's retreat on Seven Sacred Pauses. She is such a gift!
Cathey Capers
June 8, 2020
I only met Sr. Macrina through her books but they have had a profound and lasting impact on my daily life. Especially Seven Sacred Pauses, which I offer to others who struggle with bringing gratitude and awe to the hours of each day. I love her inclusiveness and mercy and her beautiful poetic stance toward life and prayer. My sympathies and condolences to her family and community, and my deepest thanks and prayers of peace to Macrina.
Isabel Guadiz Tobey MD
May 22, 2020
Our Associates of the Incarnate Word in Parma, Ohio thoroughly enjoyed your book, A Tree Full of Angels years ago. Rest in the arms of your Beloved youve yearned for all your life. Please pray for me as I do want to reach Heaven too. Thank you for sharing your insights with us!
Mary Heins
May 19, 2020
Sr. Macrina's book, A Tree Full of Angles, has touched me deeply and opened the door for much deeper prayer and connection with God. I shall be forever grateful! Her openness, honesty and willingness to share her private prayer is amazing and has given me the "permission" to do the same. She is the best writer on how to pray that I've ever read! Her great yearning for God is now answered.
Gary Quinn
April 29, 2020
I recalled my blessed time with Sr. Macrina as a young college student at the University of Arkansas back in the early 1980's. I am so thankful for all that she did for me and the other college students to strengthen our faith and bring us into a closer relationship with God. By far she has been the most influential person in my spiritual journey. We will miss you Macrina, but now we have a powerful intercessor praying for us all.
Sister Sharon Paul, O.S.F.
April 28, 2020
Benedictine Sisters, Joseph, Edna, Mary Lou, relatives & friends:
Sympathy to each of you on this great loss of Sr. Macrina. I met her when I was stationed in West Point, NE & she joined with Sr. Joyce Rupp to give a Workshop on one of their books. What vision & talent. Her words, love of nature & her insight & sensitivity to the human person will live on for years. Thank you for sharing her for us. May she rest in the PEACE & LOVE of her Creator, God!
Benita Coffey, OSB
April 27, 2020
My prayers and sympathy to the Sisters at St. Scholastica and to Macrina's family. From her book "ABIDE", I received a mantra that I use many time daily, especially when I waken during the night. "Joy, kindness, trust, gratitude, peace."
Because of that, Macrina will abide always in a small place in my heart.
Susan Abbott
April 27, 2020
Deep Sympathy.
Mike Roche
April 27, 2020
May God's love embrace the heart and soul of Macrina. Her beauty shines through her community and her words will provide comfort for all people.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Macrina Wiederkehr's name
Memorial Events
for Macrina Wiederkehr
People and places connected with Macrina
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Macrina's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Macrina Wiederkehr's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
