Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ

Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ, was a joyful, inquisitive seeker, who was kind, wise and humble. She was a deeply spiritual contemplative, whose award-winning and imaginative folk art flowed from her buoyant spirit and serious conviction about care of the Earth, and the least among us. She was born Beatrice Karen Holmberg, on October 9, 1934, and died in the early morning of June 28, 2024. At 18 years old, Ansgar chose to enter the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) in St. Paul, MN. Her educational path includes a BA in Elementary Education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul (1962), and an MA in Spirituality from St. Louis University (1976). Additionally, Ansgar studied art at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (1965-70). She was first missioned to teach elementary education at many CSJ run Twin City schools, where she creatively infused her art to invite students to know God, not as a grumpy old man, but as a loving creator of all that is alive, and to know that Jesus did not come to throw rules at them, but to show them how to be loving persons. She illustrated this beautifully in many publications including "Christian Inheritance" (1962-62), "Jesus Story" (1974), "Gift" (1983), and "Sunday by Sunday" a publication of Good Ground Press. In 1978, Ansgar joined the newly formed Loyola Spirituality Center in St. Paul, where she offered spiritual guidance and retreats. It was there that her art flourished and eventually led her to choose art and creative expression as her full-time ministry (1996). Ansgar's art expressed her dreams, visions, and hopes, reaching deep into hearts and souls within the CSJ Community and in ever-widening circles. While our memories of Ansgar will live on in us always, her art continues to bless us as a living expression of her graceful spirit. Ansgar is preceded by her parents Eric and Mary Holmberg (nee Francois) and second mother Virginia Holmberg Birk (née Francois); brother John Holmberg and wife Karen; sisters Denise Solsrud, Mary Jeanne and husband Robert Brown; nephew Brian Brown; grandniece Meghan Davenport Thomas; and great grandniece little Adelaide Alora Balfanz. She is survived by her sister, Sister Kathleen Holmberg, CSJ; good friend Sister Angela Schieber, CSJ; and Sisters of St. Joseph and Consociates, St. Paul Province. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial following at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights. Memorials preferred to the Sisters Rising Worldwide. Dear Ansgar, rest in love and peace.

Published on June 30, 2024