Jubilarian 2021 - Sister Ruth Marie Burkart

Sister Ruth Marie Burkart was born in New Franken, Wisconsin. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1945 and was received into the novitiate in 1946 as Sister Catherine Anton. She earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Fontbonne College, now University, in 1960 and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1964.

Sister Ruth served in education for nearly 30 years. She began teaching in St. Louis at St. Roch Grade School in 1948. In the 1950s, she taught at St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Gregory Grade School, St. Edward Grade School and Holy Name Grade School. She also taught music and gave private lessons at Immacolata and St. Luke the Evangelist Grade Schools.

Outside of St. Louis, she was a teacher and assistant principal at St. Teresa’s Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, 1961-70; and a teacher at St. Joseph’s Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin, 1970-77.

After completing training in spiritual direction, Sister Ruth served as a staff member at Carondelet House of Prayer in St. Louis, 1978-80; and at Still Water House of Prayer in Stillwater, Minnesota, 1980-83. She was a spiritual director at Ministry and Life Center of St. Norbert Abbey in DePere, Wisconsin, 1983-94.

Returning to St. Louis, she worked for her CSJ community in the St. Louis Province Development Office for eight years.

Sister Ruth retired in 2013 and continued working as a community service volunteer. Since 2016, Sister Ruth has resided at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis, carrying out her ministry of prayer and presence.