Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

Sister Ruth Brueggemann

✝ Saturday, April 15th 2023


"But Ruth said, ‘Don’t press me to go back and abandon you. Wherever you go I will go, wherever you Iodge l will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God my God."' (Ruth 1:16)

Sister Ruth Brueggemann was called to eternity on April15, 2023, at 2:18p.m. in the presence of Sister Chaminade Kelley. A special blessing was that Sister Ruth had many visits from her Sister, Delrose Brueggemann, especially as she was nearing death.

Sister Ruth, the former Theresa Annette Brueggemann, was born in Belleville, Illinois, on February 13, 1928, the daughter of Raymond and Louise Therese Siekmann Brueggemann. She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1950, and professed her religious vows on June 13, 1953.

Sister was a 1956 graduate of St. John's Hospital School of Nursing and she later took a nursing refresher course at St. John's Hospital.

Sister Ruth served as a nurse and nurse supervisor at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and as a nurse coordinator at St. Francis Convent. She also was a missionary in Himeji, Japan from 1960 until 1971. After retiring from nursing service, Sister Ruth served as sacristan for the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel and St. Francis of Assisi Church at St. Francis Convent.

Sister Ruth had put her heart, soul, and mind into all that she did in her home country and in her mission country of Japan and those who knew Sister Ruth witnessed her warm smile. After retiring from nursing, Sister Ruth accepted the responsibilities of sacristan for the church and chapel and she made the effort of visiting various florists for beautiful flower arrangements for the sacred space. She also learned Ikebana (flower arrangement) during her 11 years in Japan.

The experience of living in another country enabled Sister Ruth to reach out to our international Sisters, when they lived in the American Province. When some of them were student drivers, Sister Ruth took them for driving practice. Sister Ruth made sure that they had experienced road construction areas and highways.

Sister Ruth loved her family, particularly her Sister Delrose. When Sister Ruth was not able to drive, she found sister drivers who would take her to visit Delrose in Belleville. When Delrose was accepted as a resident in Loretto Horne, Sister Ruth beamed with joy.

Sister Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Raymond F. Brueggemann, Jr., and two sisters Dorothy Theiss and Rita Mary Kyle.

She is survived by her Sister, Delrose Brueggemann, of Springfield, Illinois, and several generations of nieces and nephews. We offer Sister Ruth's family, especially Delrose, our sincere condolences and the prayerful support of the Christian community.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April19,2023. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

May Sister Ruth enjoy her full reward from the Lord and intercede for us from heaven.