Benedictine Sister Roberta (Carol) Werner, 85, died Oct. 9 at St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph. The Eucharist of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 17, at 3:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Chapel, St. Benedict’s Monastery. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery. Friends may call at St. Scholastica Convent on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. or for a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Benedict’s Monastery. Visitation continues Thursday at 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral.
Sister Roberta was born Aug.1, 1934, to Lloyd and Adeline (Manderfeld) Werner in New Ulm. She was the oldest in her family with one sister. She attended Holy Trinity Grade School and Holy Trinity High School in New Ulm. She entered St. Benedict’s Monastery Sept. 14, 1958, was received into the novitiate June 16, 1959, made first profession July 11, 1960, and perpetual monastic profession July 11, 1963. Her golden jubilee was celebrated July 11, 2010.
She received a bachelor’s degree in music with minors in sociology, English, philosophy and education at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph. She studied at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and earned a master’s degree in music education, magna cum laude, at DePaul University in Chicago. She earned a doctorate in music at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Sister Roberta served in music ministry, music education and as organist in Pierz and at St. Joseph Parish, St. Joseph; she taught music education at the College of St. Benedict for 14 years. She was employed in the development office of New Ulm Area Catholic Schools and later moved to St. Benedict’s Monastery where she served as assistant to the oblate director.
Sister Roberta is survived by the members of her Benedictine community; her sister, Kathleen Pearson; her nephew, Derek Schreyer; and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, Paul Pearson.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Benson Funeral Homes. Please direct memorial gifts to the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict Retirement Fund.