As dawn was breaking the morning of August 29, 2026, Sister Ursula Schones, ASC, transitioned to the light of eternal life. Sister Ursula, age 96, died at Caritas in the Wichita Center. Earlier this year she celebrated 75 years as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ.
Sister Ursula, who received the name Rosella at Baptism, was the seventh of nine children born to William and Dorothy (Kamphaus) Schones in rural western Oklahoma. She described her parents as a hard-working and loving couple, who taught their children to give God first place.
Sister Ursula was inspired by the ASC Sisters who were her teachers at Holy Family High School in Canute. When she was a 16-year-old student, the desire to become a sister first took root. Sister Rosalie, ASC, told the class about her blood sister, Sr. Anselma, an Adorer who was a missionary in Brazil. “It was at that moment God gave me the CALL to be nun.” The call may have been immediate, but the response took four years. It was very difficult to leave her loving parents and siblings, a job at a local bank, a wonderful boyfriend, and being surrounded by love and security.
The challenge didn’t end when she entered the community. “The first five years in the convent were difficult. I missed all that I had formerly. After I started teaching, I was not thinking so much of myself, but of others. Now I can say that I am more than happy I came. The seed had to die to reap the harvest.” During these challenging years, Sr. Ursula continued down her chosen path. She entered Novitiate on July 1, 1950, made first profession a year later, and final profession in 1956.
Sister Ursula completed much of her undergraduate and graduate courses in education during summers at Sacred Heart College (now Newman University) and Kansas State Teacher College (now Emporia State University). For 30 years she taught elementary students in a ministry that took her to four states. She served in Ellinwood and Ness City, Kansas; Okarche and Moore, Oklahoma; Hobbs, New Mexico; and Omak, Washington.
Along the way, Sr. Ursula became involved in the charismatic movement, of which she wrote, “…renewed by desire of being a missionary and with great satisfaction I have witnessed, and still witness the spiritual growth in many people because of the workings of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of Jesus Christ. The Gift of the Holy Spirit and the Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus and His Holy Name, is a driving and effected power in my life.”
Beginning in 1991, and for the next two decades, Sr. Ursula ministered in two Oklahoma parishes directing religious education programs, coordinating Stephen’s Ministry services, and visiting the sick or homebound. During this time, Sr. Ursula started working with the Associate Program.
Since 2006 Sr. Ursula worked full-time with the Associate Program. In response to being asked why she liked working with the Associates she wrote, “It is quite simple. I enjoy people sharing how they have witnessed or have been witnesses to the Adoring Love and Redeeming Love of Christ. At each Associate meeting I come away marveling how God has been active in each one’s life.”
She wrote that “Even before I became a nun, I wanted to teach the Word of God in a positive way. I wanted to be a missionary and go to another country. I did not fulfill that vision. However, the Associate Program has done so in one sense. My mission or delight is to assist others in realizing the greatness of God’s love for them. To me, life without love is not worth living.” Like St. Marie De Mattias, she was driven by her love of God and love of neighbor.
When age and illness diminished her ability to attend Associate meetings, Sr. Ursula continued to stay in contact by phone and letter. She was especially attentive to special events. The day before her death, a birthday card was mailed to one of the Associates.
While Living Mission in Later Life Sr. Ursula found new ways to care for God’s people. She was generous in helping employees and Adorers from other regions learn English. She was faithful to meeting for conversational English and grammar. Her patience and affirmation of the smallest accomplishments by her students was an endearing quality. Her generosity was also expressed in the way she shared her numerous Bingo winnings. Usually she chose candy as prizes, only to save enough so she could surprise sisters and friends with cups of sweets.
Preceding Sr. Ursula in death were her parents William and Dorothy and all her siblings: Raymond, Alvin, Irene, Carolyn Schones, Evangeline Hoffman, Dorothy Gardes, Bertha Banks, and Geraldine McNeal. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and her ASC community members.
Sister Ursula will be welcomed home to the Wichita Center on September 2 at 2:00 p.m. with a Wake service at 6:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated September 3, at 10:30 a.m. Reverend Tom Welk, C. PP. S, chaplain and Rev. Cory Stanley, a great-nephew, will con-celebrate the liturgy. All services will take place at the Woman of the New Covenant Chapel, with interment in the convent cemetery.
Sister Ursula, you never went to foreign missions, but you certainly were a zealous missionary. As you wrote, “Jesus chooses us to carry His Redeeming Blood to the four corners of the earth.”
Donations in Sr. Ursula’s memory may be sent to the Adorers at 4233 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63109, or made online at www.adorers.org.
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, United States Region