Ida Robertine Berresheim, CSJ
January 8, 1928 - December 12, 2024
Generous, dedicated, kind
Robert and Ida (Loida) Berresheim of St. Louis welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth Eugena on January 8, 1928. Elizabeth attended
St. Margaret of Scotland School until fifth grade when her family moved to St. Luke’s parish. During elementary school, Elizabeth began violin lessons — an instrument that brought her joy throughout her life.
She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) in
1946, receiving the habit and the name Sister Ida Robertine in 1947. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Fontbonne College (now University) in 1960 and a master’s in English from St. Louis University in 1966.
S. Ida’s ministry as a teacher included St. Mary Magdalen, St. Louis (1949); St. Catherine of Siena, Denver (1950); St. Patrick, Sedalia, Missouri (1953); Vincent de Paul, St. Louis (1954); St. Philip Neri, St. Louis (1958); St. John, Green Bay, Wisconsin (1959); Little Flower, Chicago (1960); St. Thomas Aquinas, Florissant, Missouri (1961) and then St. Anthony in St. Louis (1964), where she was both teacher and assistant administrator in 1965.
In 1966, S. Ida became a member of the Fontbonne University administrative staff. She then left the classroom to serve her CSJ community as provincial councilor (1970) and assistant provincial superior (1971). In 1972, she became the assistant general superior at the St. Joseph Generalate (now known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Congregational Center).
In 1982, S. Ida began her dream of becoming a missionary, serving in the CSJ’s vice province of Peru. After studying language in Lima the following year, she served in pastoral ministry in Arequipa, Peru, which continued in Pachacutec and Inca while also serving as treasurer for the vice province (1984).
While in transition after leaving Peru, S. Ida was elected general superior of the congregation (1990). When her term ended in 1994, she left St. Louis to serve as co-director, program presenter, grant writer, director and volunteer coordinator at Casa Majeres De La Esperanza in El Paso, Texas, until 2003. She then helped at Annunciation House, also in El Paso, doing clerical work as well as serving as a board member.
In 2011, she returned to St. Louis and ministered at the CSJ’s Congregational Center as the
assistant mission coordinator. Two years later, S. Ida transitioned to volunteer ministry. She moved to Nazareth Living Center in 2024 and joined the ministry of prayer and presence.
S. Ida received many honors including the Oak of Justice Award from the Peace and Justice Officeof the Diocese of El Paso, Texas; the Indefatigable Promotion of Women on the U.S.-Mexico Border from Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza in El Paso; and the Founders’ Award for Distinguished Community Service from Fontbonne College (now University). She was also recognized for her service, contributions and support of programs to the homeless in El Paso.
MEMORIES
Sister Barbara Dreher, who was taught by S. Ida at St. Anthony High School:
She was tough and expected her students to always do their best ... her support was always there. She’d show up in the gym and shoot basketballs with us. ... She taught us how to pray by praying with us.
Associate Mary Mertzlufft, who was also taught by S. Ida at St. Anthony's:
I always appreciated her kindness and concern (and) that ... she cared about each of us personally and wanted us to be our best.
By Sister Helen Oates