Sister Andrea Polt ministered for more than 50 years in East Africa

Sister Andrea Polt of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters grew up on a farm near Pierce, Nebraska, and spent 56 years serving in Tanzania, East Africa. She died May 19 at the age of 89.

Born Vivian Polt on Nov. 23, 1933, Sister Andrea was the fifth of Andrew and Cecilia (German) Polt’s 11 children.

In 1947, Vivian entered the community of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Raeville, Nebraska. She attended the former St. John Berchmans Academy in Omaha. In 1951, she became a novice and received the name Sister Andrea. In 1952 she made her first profession as a Missionary Benedictine Sister and her final profession three years later.

Sister Andrea received her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Guidance degrees from Creighton University and taught in Catholic schools in Madison and Wayne, Nebraska.

In 1959, Sister Andrea was asked to go to Ndanda Priory in Tanzania, East Africa, where she worked in education and health care administration.

Sister Andrea was appointed superior of the newly established community in Mtwara, Tanzania, in 1996, where she remained until 2015. At the age of 82, Sister Andrea returned to the Norfolk Priory and helped in the monastery archives and library.

A funeral was held May 24 at the Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk. Burial was in Prospect Hill Cemetery. Sister Andrea is survived by her Missionary Benedictine Sisters, and her sisters Leona Piper, Sister Cecilia, Barb (Mike) Kirk, and brothers Edwin (Michaela), Walter (Cynthia), Roger (Lois), and sister-in-law Carolyn.

Sr. Andrea was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Father Albert Polt, Sister Doris Ann Polt, Bernard Polt and Erwin Polt.