Rhineland native Sister Andrea Loran, OSB, dies at 96
Sister Andrea Loran
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS — Sister Andrea Loran, age 96, a member of St. Scholastica Monastery, died July 13, 2023, at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sister Andrea was born August 26, 1926, in Rhineland, Texas, to Liberatus and Bertha Strubel Loran, and she was named Helen. She was the eighth child of eleven born to the Loran family.
Sister Andrea entered St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas, as a candidate on September 2, 1940, joining her sister, Sister Martha, as a Benedictine. Following her novitiate in 1947, Sister Andrea made her first profession on June 24, 1949, and her final profession on June 24, 1952.
Sister Andrea was gifted in hospitality, nurturing both body and soul in the culinary fields. She ministered in Paris, Fort Smith, North Little Rock, Clarksville, and Shoal Creek, Arkansas. Sister Andrea served in the dietary departments of two hospitals in Moberly and Booneville, Missouri, for eight years. In 1997 she served as a core team member of Hesychia House of Prayer, in New Blaine, Arkansas, until her retirement in 2009.
She attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri, in dietetics and food service. As long as she was able, Sister Andrea enjoyed cooking and tending to flower gardens. She loved to read a variety of authors and topics. She was a hard worker and made tasks seem effortless. Sister Andrea was a gentle and approachable person with an infectious laugh. She truly knew what it meant to live Benedictine Hospitality. She was dedicated to her family, faithfully keeping in touch with family and friends through letter-writing and telephone calls.
The Sisters at St. Scholastica Monastery thank Sister Andrea’s caregivers at St. Scholastica’s and at Chapel Ridge Health & Rehab for their loving care for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Ralph Andrew, and wife, Bonnie Loran, Sr. Martha Loran, OSB, of St. Scholastica, Fidelis (Slim) and wife Agnes Rose (Redder) Loran, Monica and husband Troy Myers, Mary and husband, Alphonse Kuehler, Daniel Loran, Roselia and husband Roy Pokorny, Ruth Loran, Jeanette and Marvin Zeissel, and Vincent (Brother Eric) Loran, OSB of Subiaco Abbey. She is survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews and members of her Benedictine family.
A Mass for Christian Burial was held July 21 with Fr. Leslie Farley as presider, and Fr. Joseph Chan, chaplain, as concelebrant at St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel, followed by burial in St. Scholastica Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica Monastery Continuing Care Fund, P.O. Box 3489, Fort Smith, AR 72913-3489.