Sr. Joann Stuever, A.S.C.

Sister Joann Stuever, A.S.C., of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, died April 9, 2025, at the Caritas center in Wichita. She was 92 and a professed Adorer of the Blood of Christ for 29 years.

Sister Joann’s life began March 26, 1933, in Woodward, as the first-born child of Joseph L. and Gladys (New) Schneider. Joann’s extended family was made up of hardworking, German-descended, devoutly Catholic farmers who all managed to make it through the Great Depression.

She attended Southern Methodist University, where she earned a degree in chemistry, one of a few female science majors in her world. She dreamed of becoming a geochemist but put that on hold to marry her long-distance high school/college sweetheart, Joe Stuever, in 1954, a few weeks after they both received their degrees. 

His military career sent them to Oklahoma, Texas and California.  in short order; Joann and Joe settled down with their three little girls — Pat, Ann and Mary — in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he worked as an engineer, and she became active in Girl Scouts and other activities. 

The Stuever family moved to Oklahoma City in 1967 for new opportunities – and welcomed a latecomer son/baby brother named Hank. 

Joann joined the faculty at Hefner Junior High (now Hefner Middle School) in 1970, where she taught earth science for 23 years.

At Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, she took on many roles: lector, eucharistic minister, banner committee chairperson, head sacristan and youth group parent-volunteer. She loved sharing her faith and enjoyed late-night prayer and deep discussions with close friends and fellow spiritual seekers. 

As her marriage ended in 1982, prayed intensely in the early mornings, asking for God’s insight and attuning herself to God’s will. 

In a talk she gave later in her life, she recalled the moment in 1986 when she heard “a tiny voice” — nevertheless clear — while climbing Colorado’s Humboldt Peak. The message: “Come down with me. I have other mountains for you to climb.”

On the ride home she said she knew she was changed.

In 1990, Joann joined an associate community formed by Sister Elizabeth Determan, A.S.C., and other Adorers at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. A year later, Sister Joann deepened her commitment and sold her house and belongings, on her way to joining the Adorers full-time. 

“The call was so strong,” she told the Wichita Eagle in 1993, “I thought, ‘I’m not going to get any peace until I decide.’” 

Joann retired from teaching and entered the novitiate that year.

In addition to her Sister Adorers, Sister Joann is survived by her four children: daughters Pat Graff (Mark Rumsey) of Albuquerque; Ann South of Kissimmee, Florida; Mary Stuever of Cimarron, New Mexico; and son Hank Stuever (Michael Wichita) of Washington, DC; as well as five grandchildren (Earl Graff Jr., Jeremy Graff, Matthew Wagnon; Roland Shaw; and Katie Shelburne) and their spouses, and 12 great-grandchildren. 

She is also survived by her siblings, Linda (Marvin) Resnick of Oklahoma City; Louis Schneider (John Johnson) of Dallas; and Mary G. Brown of Wilmington, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as a granddaughter.

Sister Joann’s wake service was April 28 at the ASC Wichita Center. Mass of Christian Burial was April 29. Interment followed at the Center’s community cemetery. 

Donations in Sister Joann’s memory may be sent to the Adorers at 4233 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109, or made online at adorers.org/donate.