Sister Miriam (Mary) Ardolf, OSB

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Sister Miriam (Mary) Ardolf, OSB

September 27, 1934 ~ February 22, 2018

Benedictine Sister Miriam (Mary) Ardolf, 83, died on February 22, 2018, at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud, Minn.

Mary Ardolf was born September 27, 1934, to Albert and Cecelia (Pavlish) Ardolf at Silver Lake, Minn., where she attended St. Joseph Grade School and Silver Lake High School. She entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery on September 7, 1953, was received into the novitiate on June 16, 1954, taking the name Sister Miriam, made first monastic profession on July 11, 1955, and perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1958.  

Sr. Miriam received a Bachelor of Science degree in business education with a minor in philosophy at the College of Saint Benedict (CSB), St. Joseph, Minn. At Loyola University in Chicago, Ill., she earned a Master of Education in guidance and counseling, and at the College of Business Administration, University of Notre Dame, Ind., a certificate of advanced investments. Sr. Miriam also attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D., De Paul University in Chicago and Weber State College in Ogden, Utah.  

A woman of many gifts, Sr. Miriam served as an educator, a counselor, and in business and finance. She taught bookkeeping at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud and also served as a counselor there and at St. Joseph High School in Ogden, Utah.

After returning to Minnesota, she was coordinator of retirement and did counseling work at Saint Benedict’s High School, the monastery and at St. Anthony’s Personal Growth Program in St. Cloud. From 1977, Sr. Miriam ministered in business and finances as the assistant treasurer and business office manager at the monastery. She then moved to CSB as executive financial officer, while at the same time acting as investment officer for the monastery. She also served at CSB as vice-president of finance and as director of community relations and auxiliary services. In 2002, Sr. Miriam began a ministry as donor relations specialist in the Office of Mission Advancement at the monastery, which continued up to the time of her death. She also served on the Saint Cloud Hospital and CentraCare Boards for 43 years, Assumption Nursing Home Board in Cold Spring, Minn., and on the Advisory Board of Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis, as well as being an active member of the St. Cloud Chamber.  

In addition to her Benedictine community, Sr. Miriam is survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Leo, Eugene and Father Edward; and by two sisters: Joanne Ardolf Decker and an infant sister.   

The Eucharist of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 27, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn. Burial followed in the monastery cemetery.

Please direct memorial gifts to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Retirement Fund.