Peggy Roske has spent much of her career chronicling the history of Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict.
But in some ways, Roske – who retired from her longtime position as the archivist at both schools earlier this month – has been chronicling her own history as well.
“Sometimes I do come across places where they intersect,” said Roske, who was part of the last class to graduate from the old Saint Benedict’s High School in 1973, then graduated from CSB in 1977.
“The sisters (of Saint Benedict’s Monastery) used to have a pig farm and my grandfather on my maternal side (George Lodermeier) managed it.
“Then once when I was preparing one of my history lessons, I came across a list of local residents who bought produce from the sisters,” she continued. “There was the name of George Lodermeier listed as buying so many pounds of lard. Lard has always been a major ingredient in my grandmother’s Christmas ginger cookie recipe that I still use today. So we’ve had ties here for a long time.”
Of course, Roske’s own history has long been tied to the two schools as well. She began working in the library at CSB in 1979, then – with her supervisors’ encouragement – took a leave of absence to obtain her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin.
She returned to become one of the librarians at CSB in July of 1982 – a position she’d hold for the next 24 years. During that time, her duties included running the reference desk and instruction program, working with databases, overseeing a book barcoding project and much, much more.
She also demonstrated a keen interest in researching and maintaining records of the past.
“I think they realized I had archival proclivities because I saved everything,” she said with a laugh. “My office shelves were filled with course catalogues, phone books and many other campus publications I’d saved since before I even started working at the library.”
Roske received the chance to put those skills to more extensive use in 2004 when she was appointed to a part-time role as the archivist at CSB. A couple of years later, Br. David Klingeman left his part-time role as archivist at SJU to assist in the operation of the newly-opened Abbey Guesthouse (though he remains the archivist for Saint John’s Abbey).
Roske was then promoted to a full-time role as archivist at both schools.
“I loved what I was doing in the library, but I’ve really loved what I’ve been doing in the archives,” she said.
“I’ve always been interested in history. I didn’t major in it in college (opting for English and Humanities), but I almost minored. At the time, I didn’t see many options for a career with a history major. Now, obviously, I know better!”
Since taking over her role, Roske has exhaustively researched the histories of not just CSB and SJU, but the monastery and abbey and Saint John’s Preparatory School. She has compiled hundreds of presentations – sprinkled with her trademark humor – for departments, groups and events across a wide range of the two campus communities.
Many of those have been collected online.
“She’s going to be a hard person to replace,” said Liz Knuth, the archives associate at CSB and SJU who began working part-time with Roske in 2009, then took on a full-time role in 2011.
“She’s so connected. She knows everybody. She talks to everybody.”
But Roske feels like this is the right time to step away, handing her position over to Br. Eric Pohlman.
“I’m going to be 70 in a few weeks and (husband) Michael has been retired for a while now,” said Roske, who is looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and working on projects around the house.
“He’s been bugging me to join him. It’s hard to leave something you love doing. I’ve found this job so fulfilling and I’ve been able to work with so many interesting people. I’ve had a great career, but I’m delighted to leave it in the hands of Br. Eric. I know he will enjoy it almost as much as I have. It’s in good hands.”
Roske, though, still plans to keep her hands in research. She just presented part one of a celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. John the Baptist Parish in Collegeville – with the second and third installments expected in April and October respectively.
“I also have to get our own family history in order, so I’ll still be researching,” she said. “I want to keep contributing.”
And Roske said the bonds that connect her to the CSB and SJU communities will never diminish.
“These are special places,” she said. “So much has been accomplished here over the years that is of significance not just to the people who work and go to school here, or to the local area, but well beyond that.
“The influence of these two places extends well beyond our borders.”
