Sr. Ann Middendorf was born on October 30, 1926 to William A. and Mary E, Brueggen Middendorf and given the name Margaret Ann. Ann was the fourth of five children, with two sisters and two brothers.
Ann graduated from Villa Madonna Academy in 1945. She received her BA degree in Music from the College of Mount St. Joseph in 1949. Ann taught Special Ed at a private school and third grade at Blessed Sacrament in Ft. Mitchell. In 1952 she entered St. Walburg Monastery. The following year she became a novice and received the name Sister Ann Joseph. First profession followed in 1954, perpetual in 1957, silver jubilee in 1979, golden in 2004, her 60th in 2014 and her 70th in 2024.
Sr. Ann taught at diocesan elementary schools for several years before beginning her studies at Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, WI from which she received her MA in Special Education in 1967. Her thesis explored the need for Special Ed in the Covington diocese. She taught Special Ed at Mother of God and Riverside-Good Counsel Schools from 1962 to 1975 working with Sr. Wendeline and several other sisters. In 1975 her ministry took a new turn. Ann studied at Bethesda Hospital to complete her training in Clinical Pastoral Education in 1976.
Ann spent her years as a pastoral associate at Holy Cross and Blessed Sacrament Parishes from 1975 through 2002. She visited the homebound, brought communion, visited by phone during inclement weather, and worked in parish RCIA programs. She did not retire from this ministry until 2002 at the age of 76.
Sisters Ann and Rose lived at St. Mary’s House on the St. Walburg property for 36 years. They hosted card games, New Year’s Eve and Derby Day parties for the sisters. Ann and Rose extended hospitality to sisters who enjoyed the above-ground swimming pool in their back yard. Their large garden provided an abundance of vegetables; they were happy to share an oversupply of tomatoes, and, of course, zucchini.
In 2007 Ann and Rose moved to the monastery’s first floor. Ann continued to listen to and pray with people, continuing her ministry by phone and often driving sisters to appointments. Ann moved to the infirmary in 2013. Aging well into her nineties, Ann still remembered names and would wave to all passers-by.
Ann died on Monday morning, August 10, 2026. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Dorothy Miller and Sister Mary Middendorf, OLVM, her brothers Bill and Dick. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and her Benedictine community.
Ann donated her body to the UC College of Medicine. Vigil service will be held at 7:00 pm, Sunday, August 16, 2026. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 5:00 pm, Monday, August 17, 2026. All services will be held at St. Walburg Monastery.
Memorials are suggested to St. Walburg Monastery, 2500 Amsterdam Rd., Villa Hills, KY 41017; www.stwalburg.org