Sister M. Ruthanne's Services
Private Mass of Resurrection at Sacred Heart Convent, Thursday, May 6, Father Michael DeTemple, celebrant; private burial, Calvary Cemetery, Friday, May 7.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Ruthanne may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704. The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister M. Ruthanne are served by Butler Funeral Homes.
Springfield Dominican Sister M. Ruthanne Huss, OP, died peacefully, Monday, May 3, at St. John’s Hospital. She was born in Aurora, Ill., in 1933 to Francis J. and Ruth (Raboine) Huss and baptized Frances Jane. She joined the Dominicans in 1954 and professed her vows in 1956 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill.
Sister Ruthanne taught children of just about every grade level at schools throughout Illinois including Chicago, Springfield, Jacksonville, Odell, Mendota, Jerseyville, Carlinville, and Newton. For 10 years she taught at the public school in Sainte Marie and was principal 1965-1968. She served as librarian at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago, Heights, 1991-2002, then took on the same role at Sacred Heart Convent in 2003. Though she officially “retired” from the library in 2020, Sister Ruthanne continued to help her successor sort and catalogue new books whenever she could.
Sister Ruthanne was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Rosanna G. Long Huss, and her sister, Joyce Harner. Surviving are three nephews, three nieces, many great nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
Sister Ruthanne was my colleague a scholar and my friend. She loved cats, music, history, baking and keeping Marian’s card catalog and the stacks in pristine order. She was a stickler for order and neatness. Sister Ruthanne saw many changes in the library including going to total automation. I will never forget the sad look on her face when the card catalog was converted and was completely automated. Since both of us still wanted a back up she continued to type the cards until we realized it was no longer needed. Sister showed a great deal of patience with all the doings in the library. She took in her stride animals, living museums and class projects that included food. When Sister went to Springfield I missed her rushing around the library. She kept in contact with many of us by writing letters. Christmas was not Christmas until you received Sister Ruthanne’s letter. I hope Heaven’s library is in order because Sister Ruthanne will whip it into shape. God bless you Sister love Sue
Dear Sue,
I was so happy to read your response to Sr. Ruthanne’s death I am now living at the Motherhouse and was able to enjoy the company of Sister for a few months. I am still stunned by her unexpected death. She has lots of physical problems and now is free from them.I miss her so much. You summed up her time in the Marian Library very well. She worked so hard, I think that it was her nature. She was so thoughtful and generous up until she went into the hospital for surgery. She had mail ready to go out to her “public”. I doubt that there are libraries or mail service in heaven, but I hope that there is something more wonderful that she is enjoying!!!!!!!! May she Rest in Peace and pray for us.
Stay well. Love from Sr. Agnes Ann
As with many thoughts shared above I remember her love of cataloging. I was fortunate to be her student in the ‘70s and she nurtured my love of music. Singing “Carol of the Bells” at Christmas I can still see her grin as I could hit the high notes. Because of time she invested in the Jerseyville CYO program there were many of us who attended nat’l conferences & other outings. And the baking/crafting she oversaw for our fundraising! Unbelievable! Loved her letters & her beautiful handwriting! Hope she now knows how much she was loved. ❤️
THANK YOU SR. RUTHANNE!
Mary Miller Rushing
A very grateful Holy Ghost student from Jerseyville
Mary, what great memories! Thanks for sharing!
I knew Sister Ruthanne in my childhood when she was a teacher at St. Edward School in Chicago. It intrigued me that our names were the same, yet spelled so differently. In more recent years, I enjoyed talking with her in the motherhouse library when I was a visitor there. May sister Ruthanne Rest In Peace.