Sister Mary Monica  (Monica) Zierden , OSB

St. Joseph, Minnesota

October 24, 1917- Sunday, July 6, 2008

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at the Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, for Sister Mary Monica (Monica) Zierden, who died on Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Saint Scholastica Convent, St. Cloud. Burial will be in the monastery cemetery. Friends may call at Saint Scholastica Convent on Tuesday, July 8, from 1-6 p.m. or for a Vigil Prayer Service at 7 p.m. at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. Visitation continues at 9 a.m. until the time of the funeral on Wednesday, July 9, at 4 p.m.

S. Mary Monica was born on October 24, 1917, to John and Anna (Bredeck) Zierden in New Munich, Minnesota. After attending Sacred Heart School in New Munich, she came to Saint Benedict’s Monastery on September 3, 1933. She entered the novitiate on July 11, 1935, made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1936, and perpetual profession on July 11, 1939. Her high school equivalency was issued by the St. Cloud Area Vocational School.

S. Mary Monica was a certified executive housekeeper, dietary supervisor and an administrator of nursing homes. She attended the University of Minnesota, St. Louis University, as well as Mankato and St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Schools. Certification in Care of the Aged in Geriatric Homes and Nursing Home Administration came from the Sister Kenny Institute and St. Cloud Hospital.

 Chanhassen, Robbinsdale, Wadena, Mary Rondorf Home in Staples, St. Raphael’s Home in St. Cloud, Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring and Mother of Mercy Home in Albany were places of S. Mary Monica’s long years of ministry. Following ten years as  receptionist in Albany, she retired to Saint Scholastica Convent where she continued to serve in prayer, community living and assistance to the Sisters there.