Sr. Miriam Schnoebelen

Sr. Miriam Schnoebelen, 93, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan., died Jan. 19 at the monastery. 

Sr. Miriam was born on Jan. 31, 1929, in Mooreland, the daughter of Claire Vincent and Mary Frances Knittel Schoenebelen. After her graduation from Mooreland High School, she enrolled at Benedictine Heights College in Guthrie, and in 1948, joined the Benedictine community there, which later moved to Tulsa. In 1969, she co-founded the Sisters of Benedict in Piedmont. After teaching several years, she earned her M.S. in social work from St. Louis University and served in a variety of ministries: as administrator of Benedictine Heights Hospital, social worker, counselor, pastoral associate and founder of the Benedictine Peace House in Oklahoma City, where she set up a number of peace and justice programs. Her monastery joined with the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kan. in 2010. She retained her passion for justice and peace all her life.

Sr. Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Dorothy Sullens and Elaine Nelsen, and brothers Bernard and Joseph Schnoebelen. She is survived by her brothers, Claude (Johnny) and Albert Schnoebelen, numerous nieces and nephews and her monastic family. Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount’s web site at mountosb.org.