In Memoriam
Sister Benita Gerold entered peacefully into eternal life, fulfilling her baptismal call on January 18, 2022, at St. Paul’s Monastery.
Benita Marie was born on March 26, 1932, in Jordan, Minnesota. She was the fourth child born to Egon and Agatha Von Bank Gerold. She had one brother and three sisters. Sister Benita graduated from Visitation Convent School in Minneapolis in 1950 and completed post-secondary work at St. Paul Diocesan Teacher College and the University of St. Thomas. She later attended the University of Minnesota at Crookston, where she earned a degree of Applied Sciences in Dietetics in 1979.
Sister Benita entered St. Paul’s Priory on September 6, 1946 and became a novice on June 12, 1950. She made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1951, and her perpetual monastic profession on July 11, 1954. On July 11, 2021, Sister Benita joyfully celebrated her 70th Jubilee with her classmate, Sister Agnes Trombley. Sister Benita was assigned to St. Joseph’s Orphanage in St. Paul where she served as Boys’ Prefect 1951-1960. She served as Housemother at the Catholic Boys’ Home in Minneapolis 1960-1961 and 1962-1963. She was Superior at St. Joseph’s Home in St. Paul 1961-1962.
Sister Benita was a skilled cook and housekeeper and worked at St. Anne’s Convent in Minneapolis 1963-1966. She served as cook of St. Paul’s Priory 1966-1977 and was House Coordinator of St. Paul’s Priory in 1970. Sister Benita became the Dietary Supervisor of Weldwood Home in Golden Valley 1979-1980 and later at St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis 1980-1985. She then returned to St. Paul’s Monastery where she managed the dietary staff 1985-2001.
From 2001-2019, Sister Benita served in hospitality ministry at the Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery, helping the Sisters and staff welcome all guests as Christ. Sister Benita was talented in creating beautiful trays of cookies. She especially enjoyed preparing refreshments for the group of priests who met monthly. She had a quiet sense of humor and a delightful, somewhat mischievous grin.
Sister Benita enjoyed visits from her family, who came to see her frequently at the Monastery. She loved playing “Sheephead,” a favorite German card game, during these fun-filled afternoons. Sister Benita is survived by her sister Anyce Ditter, many nieces and nephews, her Benedictine Community, Oblates, and Associates.
