Sister Elizabeth (Mary Arthur) Kolmer, ASC

On Monday, July 1, 2024, Sister Elizabeth (Mary Arthur) Kolmer, ASC, celebrated 75 years as a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharist, followed by a reception, at Benedictine Living Community in Belleville, IL. She made her first profession on July 1, 1949, and her final vows on July 1, 1954.

Sister Elizabeth, one of eight children in the family of Arthur and Carmelita Kolmer, was born in Waterloo, IL. Her family attended SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo. She received her bachelor’s degree in history in 1961, her master’s in American history in 1962 and her doctorate in American History/European History in 1965, all from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, MO.

Sister Elizabeth was a life-long educator. She taught elementary grades for nine years while also serving as organist at St. Elizabeth in East St. Louis, St. Mary in Mt. Carmel, St. Albert the Great in Fairview Heights and Immaculate Conception in Centreville, all in Illinois.

She began a 40-year ministry as a professor at St. Louis University in 1964, while working on her doctorate. In 1984 she taught for a semester at the University’s campus in Spain. Her teaching included both graduate and undergraduate classes. As a professor, she served on numerous committees, both for the department and for the university at large. When she was hired in 1964, she was one of few women on the University’s faculty and the only woman serving as director/chair of a program or department.

One of her finest achievements was the development of the American Studies program, which now offers all three degrees. She chaired the department from its beginning for a dozen years, and later for another seven.

Following her retirement from teaching, Sr. Elizabeth volunteered at College Church in their Outreach program which serves people in need. She currently resides at Benedictine Living Community where she is Living Mission in Later Life.