Sr. Miriam Ehrhardt

Sister Miriam Ehrhardt, CHM, 88, died peacefully June 20, 2023, at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 11:00am at Magnificat Chapel, Humility of Mary Center, 820 W. Central Park Ave, Davenport, IA.  Visitation will be held on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Magnificat Chapel, Humility of Mary Center from 4:00-7:00pm, with a Rosary being held at 4:00pm and Prayer Service being held at 7:00pm. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Myrna Frances Ehrhardt was born December 3, 1934, in Marshalltown, IA to Merle and Emma (Dworak) Ehrhardt.  She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1953 and professed final vows in 1959 as Sister Miriam Thomas.

Sister attended Ottumwa Heights College in Ottumwa, IA, from 1952-54 and earned an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts.  Throughout the 1960s, she traveled in the summers to Milwaukee, WI, and Boston, MA, completing workshops in different aspects of food services and food service management.  Later, in the 1980s, she completed continuing education workshops through the Eastern Iowa Community College District at Clinton and Scott Community Colleges.

S. Miriam spent her life in service to her CHM community, beginning in Ottumwa Heights College and Mother House in 1956, where she worked in food services for ten years both before and after taking her final vows.  During her novitiate, when the Mother House was destroyed by fire, she assisted the head of the chemistry department in providing meals for the displaced sisters and staff, as well as those who traveled to assist with preparing a temporary home. From 1966-71, she served the CHM community at Sacred Heart Convent in Great Falls, MT, and then transferred to Rock Island, IL, where she served as cook and school volunteer at the St. Pius Convent and grade school from 1971-77.  She returned to Ottumwa Heights until 1982, serving as Assistant Plant Coordinator and Food Service Manager.  When the headquarters of the CHMs moved from Ottumwa to Davenport, she moved with it, continuing to serve as a cook, baker, food services coordinator, and as a coordinator for the move itself.  She remained at the Humility of Mary Center through her retirement and was a resident until her death.

Sister’s life was one of dedication and service throughout her years, from her junior year at St. Mary’s High School in Marshalltown, when she was awarded the “Most Helpful Student” medal, through 2011, when she was honored in a Mass of Thanksgiving for her service to the Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat Center.  Her service to the community was consistent throughout calamity and planned relocation, and her presence will be truly missed.

S. Miriam is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Robert, and sister-in-law, Marjorie Ehrhardt.  She is survived by nieces and nephews Kathy (James) Meyer, Texas, Myrna (Rick) Ulery, Nebraska, Corleen (Christopher) Calkins, Marshalltown, Karl (Deb) Ehrhardt, Marshalltown, Ginger Carroll, Muscatine and Skip (Metta) Ehrhardt, Florida as well as sisters and associates of her religious community.

Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.