Sr. Andrea Arendt

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On March 7, 1945, in Bremen, ND, Francis and Adeline Dusek Arendt welcomed the baby they named Emily Marie. Emily was baptized at St. Joseph’s Church in Bremen and attended Bremen Elementary School. Soon after her graduation from St. James Academy in New Rockford, she entered the Presentation Sisters in Fargo. In March of 1964, she received the religious habit and a new name, Sister Mary Andrea. In 1971, she made profession of perpetual vows.

Sister Andrea attended Sacred Heart Junior College and NDSU. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Her wholistic approach to healing led her to enroll in clinical pastoral education at St. Luke’s in Fargo and to complete a master’s degree in pastoral studies at Loyola University in Chicago. For a total of 12 years, she ministered as a nurse in hospitals operated by the Presentation Sisters and in Sacred Heart Convent Infirmary.

She filled administrative and liturgical positions in the Sacred Heart Parish Community of East Grand Forks for 10 years. During these 20-some years, Sister Andrea also served her religious community in leadership roles and as a member of governing boards of sponsored institutions. She continued to develop her penchant for and considerable talent in the arts– music (organ, piano, vocal), visual art (drawing, environmental) and dance. Never a performer, she directed her time and energy toward the enhancement of communal prayer and liturgy.

In 1993 she was assigned to Presentation Prayer Center through which she conducted numerous retreats and days of reflection. She served on the governing board of Retreats International and was instrumental in establishing the practice of Taize’ Prayer in the area. Sister Andrea taught many sessions of FM Communiversity and worked closely with interfaith and ecumenical groups. Women’s organizations and faith communities often invited her to guide retreats and give presentations on issues relevant to fostering growth in holiness. She also taught a class in spirituality at the YWCA Emergency Shelter, volunteered in Befriender programs and organized a conference for church office workers.

Sr. Andrea was a spiritual director and contributed to the training and mentoring of other practitioners of this art. She wrote columns and articles on faith and faith-related issues for church bulletins, agency newsletters, the Fargo Forum and the Journal of Ideas, Arts and Activities. In 1992 she received an Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation Scholarship and in 2008 was named YWCA Woman of the Year in the Faith Community Category.

Her calm, listening presence was a balm to the soul in distress and a tonic to many on their faith journey. She will long be remembered for her ability to empower others to share their gifts in building communities of support and mutuality.

For the past several years her physical stamina and communication ability were assailed by Parkinsonism. She faithfully endured this trial until death completed her way of the cross on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026, and she danced home to celebrate Easter with the Risen Christ.

Sister Andrea was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Jean Dryness; and her brother, Larry.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Ralph Dryness; her sister-in-law, Nancy Arendt; as well as nieces and nephews and the Presentation Sisters and Associates.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations are preferred to the Presentation Prayer Center or any entity of your choosing.