S. Glenore (Margaret) was born to Henry and Otillia (Belda) Riedner on June 17, 1902, in Bird Island, Minn. When she was eight years old, her family moved to Centura, Wis. In 1919 she graduated from Saint Benedict’s High School and on September 5, 1921, she entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery. She was received into the novitiate in 1922, made her first monastic profession on July 11, 1923, and perpetual profession on July 11, 1926. She earned degrees in home economics from the College of Saint Benedict (B.A.) and the University of Minnesota (M.S.).
S. Glenore began her teaching career in home economics at St. Benedict’s Academy. While teaching at the College of Saint Benedict, the department was accredited by the University of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She was also influential in the formation of the Central Minnesota Dietetic Association. During the summers of 1934–1937, she managed the cafeteria at the St. Paul Diocesan Teachers’ College. As chief dietitian at St. Cloud Hospital from 1949 through 1961, she organized and implemented the new cafeteria, centralized the patient food service, and taught nursing students. In addition, she was appointed superior of the Benedictine Sisters living at St. Cloud Hospital and St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1955.
In 1961 S. Glenore was assigned to assist in the formation of Benedictine Sisters in Taiwan; she helped them with their ministry at the orphanage, taught at the university and was the regional superior. After her return to Saint Benedict’s Monastery in September 1970, she supervised the sewing room for two years before moving to St. Gertrude’s Convent, St. Cloud, to be the superior for retired sisters living there. She retired to Saint Scholastica Convent in 1978. This past summer S. Glenore celebrated her 85th year of monastic profession.
S. Glenore is survived by her Benedictine community, nephews and nieces. Six brothers (Clarence George, Elmer, Clarence John, Joseph, Lawrence and Rev. Raymond) and one sister (Helen Staak) are deceased. |