Dominican Sister of Peace Stella Weber, OP (101), a native of Dubuque, Kansas, died on December 22 at the Great Bend Motherhouse in Great Bend, Kansas.
Stella was born in 1924 to Mary Margaret Feltes and Pete Weber. She entered the Dominican Sisters of Peace in 1947, made her first profession in 1950, and professed final vows in 1956. This year, she joyfully celebrated both her 101st birthday and her 75th Jubilee.
Sr. Stella earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Newman University in Wichita, KS, and later completed a second degree in Medical Records from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE.
She began her ministry as an elementary school teacher in Colorado and Kansas. After twelve years in education, Sr. Stella transitioned to health care, where she served as Director of Medical Records in Kansas and later as a Health Record Analyst in Arizona. Throughout her ministry, her meticulous attention to detail was matched by deep compassion for those she served.
Upon retiring, Sister developed another neighborhood ministry in Mesa—watching over neighbors’ homes, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and sharing her home-grown tomatoes. She understood this ministry as sharing the fruits of contemplation and prayer, hoping that God’s love and compassion would be made more visible through her quiet, faithful presence.
After returning to the Motherhouse in Great Bend, she served as a Library Assistant, volunteered at the Cancer Clinic, and generously offered her time and talents through various community services.
Sr. Stella was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings: Bernard, LaVerne, and Florentine; and also by her beloved Dominican Sisters of Peace, Sisters Caroline Odeing, Edith Marie Hauser, Teresita Huse, and Frances Biernacki. She is survived by her sister Margaret, many nieces and nephews, and her Dominican Sisters of Peace.
A Vigil Service and Sharing of Memories took place on December 29, followed by Mass of Resurrection on Tuesday, December 30, both at the Great Bend Motherhouse Chapel. Burial followed at Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Sister Stella’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.