Thomas Welder, OSB
April 27, 1940 – June 22, 2020
Sister Thomas Welder, OSB, a beloved member of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck and the transformative president of the University of Mary for 31 years, passed into eternal life on June 22, 2020, at the monastery. Her passing followed a brief diagnosis of kidney cancer, yet her legacy remains timeless.
Born Diane Marie Welder in Linton, North Dakota, on April 27, 1940, she was the eldest of three children of Sebastian and Mary Ann (Kuhn) Welder. After her family moved to Bismarck when she was two, Sister Thomas graduated from St. Mary’s High School. Following a year of college in Minnesota, she discerned a call to monastic life and joined Annunciation Monastery. As a novice, she was given the name of Sister Thomas. She made her monastic profession on July 11, 1961, embracing a life of prayer, community, and service for nearly 60 years.
Sister Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in music from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and a master’s in music from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Music was a lifelong passion; she directed the Sisters’ Choir for 46 years, always attributing the beauty of their liturgical music to the collective effort of the choir.
Her enduring service to the University of Mary spanned 57 years, 31 of which she served as president. Under her visionary leadership, the college gained university status in 1986, tripled its enrollment, launched its first doctoral program, expanded on-site and online adult learning programs to 16 locations across the state, region, and nation, and transitioned to NCAA Division II athletics. Always present and engaged, she attended student recitals and concerts, cheered at athletic events, and remembered students, faculty, and staff by name. Even after retiring, she served as President Emerita in the university’s Mission Advancement Office, remaining deeply connected to its mission.
Known throughout North Dakota and beyond, Sister Thomas exemplified Benedictine values of hospitality, respect, prayer, and service. She served on numerous boards, including CHI St. Alexius Health and MDU Resources Group, Inc., and was honored with North Dakota’s highest distinction, the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. She connected effortlessly with people from all walks of life, offering her full attention, a warm smile, and a listening ear.
Her life was marked by gratitude. She often spoke of the blessings she received, including two life-saving kidney transplants, for which she remained deeply thankful to her donors. She also cherished her family, including her father, who passed away when she was 11, and her mother, who later joined her as a Benedictine Sister at Annunciation Monastery.
Even in her final days, Sister Thomas continued to embody grace. Diagnosed with kidney cancer shortly after her 80th birthday in April 2020, she spent her last weeks surrounded by the love and care of her monastic community. Sisters visited to pray and share final words of affirmation, a testament to the deep relationships she fostered throughout her life.
Her funeral services, though limited by COVID-19 precautions, reflected the immense love and respect she garnered. Civic leaders, including Governor Doug Burgum and Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, joined her successor, Monsignor James Shea, in paying tribute. A continuous reading from the St. John’s Bible during visitation and the inclusion of music—a central part of her life—honored her spirit beautifully.
Sister Thomas Welder lived with a profound humility, humor, and a deep love for God and others. Her presence graced every room, and her life exemplified the Benedictine motto: “That in all things God may be glorified.” She leaves behind an indelible legacy of servant leadership, faith, and love, reminding us that, as she often affirmed, “everything is grace.”
Tribute prepared by Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck.