Obituaries

Sister Bernardine Konkler-Redwine

Photo of Sister Bernardine Konkler-Redwine
Sister Bernardine Konkler-Redwine, 90 years of age, died peacefully on Sunday evening, September 17, 2018 at McAuley Convent and Retirement Residence in Barling, Arkansas. Sister Bernie, as she was known in her later years, was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Jessie A. Alvey and Grover C. Konkler. She and her twin sister, Bernadette, were the last of six children born to her parents and reared in Mena, Arkansas. Her elementary education was at St. Joseph Academy, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, and Mena Public High School where she graduated in 1946. On September 8, 1946 she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy in Webster Groves, Missouri, receiving the habit on March 12, 1947 and her name in religion, Sister Mary Janet, R.S.M. She professed religious vows on March 12, 1952. During her early years in the convent Sister Janet taught in parochial schools in El Dorado, Fort Smith, Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas. She completed college degrees on a part-time basis, majoring in education and art. In 1969 Sr. Janet received permission to live in Mena to care for her aged mother. In 1973 she received a dispensation from her religious vows, married Manuel Redwine and helped him raise his three children, Stephen, LaQuinta and Melodi at their happy home in Coos Bay, Oregon. After her husband died Sister Bernie asked to be readmitted to the Sisters of Mercy. She returned to Mercy Center in St. Louis in 1994, accepted a second novitiate experience and professed her permanent religious vows on August 8, 1998 changing her name in religious life to Sr. Mary Bernardine, R.S.M. When she returned to the Sisters of Mercy, she taught Art, Calligraphy and Spanish at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Sister Bernie moved to Catherine McAuley Convent in Barling in September 2010 where she had continued to paint, visit with her Mena relatives, and receive visits from her surviving step-daughter, Melodi Douglas, and other nieces and nephews. Sister Bernardine is preceded in death by her parents; five siblings, Ed Konkler, Jim Konkler, Anna Balfe Riley, Mary Alice Swaty and her twin, Bernadette, Reinpold; her husband, Manuel Redwine; and two step-children. She is survived by Melodi Elaine Douglas, her step-daughter, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her family was extremely important to her, grounding her and enriching her long life – she cherished all of them. As a teacher Sister Bernardine had a special place in her heart for the troubled or difficult students. She tried not to allow her preferences to show, but she gave them a little extra help and watched their progress with special interest. Her students remember her as a good teacher, with a wonderful sense of humor and basic love and respect for each of them. Students know! The Rosary will be prayed at 1:30 p.m. and the memorial Mass for Sr. Bernardine will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at McAuley Convent in Barling, Ark. Father Les Farley will preside. Arrangements are under the direction of Fentress Mortuary. To sign the online guestbook please go to www.fentressmortuary.com.

Published September 19, 2018

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