RUMA — Sister Aloysia Schumacher, ASC, died May 29 at the Ruma Center, age 85. Irma Joan was born into a Clinton County farming family on Feb. 15, 1927, joining four sisters and two brothers. As Sister Aloysia, she made first vows on July 1, 1945 and final profession on July 1, 1950. She had been an Adorer of the Blood of Christ for 67 years.
Sister Aloysia began nurses’ training at St. John’s School of Nursing in Springfield, the beginning of her long ministry in health care. She received her R.N., a bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Louis University, and a master’s degree in health services administration from Sangamon State University in Springfield. She was staff nurse, director of nursing, and vice president for Christian Effectiveness for the ASC Health System. She ministered at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Taylorville at three different times (1949-1954; 1956-1964, and 1976-1885). She cared for the sick at St. Clement’s Hospital in Red Bud from 1954-1956, from 1964-1966, from 1969-1976, and from 1988-1989. She worked in the ASC Health System Office as director of Christian Effectiveness from 1985-1988.
After a sabbatical year at Emmaus Community in St. Louis, she spent two months at EarthWorks in Plymouth, Ind., and moved to Ruma in 1992 to work as a nurse and in the Earth Kinship Center.
She was known for her love of music.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerhard and Emelia (Holtgrave) Schumacher; her brothers, Edwin and Clarence, and an infant brother; her sisters, Elizabeth Ketterer, Dolores Kalous and Rita Netemeyer. She is survived by her sister Mary Straeter, sister-in-law Lidwina Schumacher, many nieces and nephews, and the sisters of her community.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 2, with Father Stan Konieczny presiding; Sister Jan Renz, ASC, regional leader, gave the reflection. Burial followed in the community cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Sister Aloysia’s name may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, ASC Ruma Center, 2 Pioneer Lane, Red Bud, IL 62278, or made on-line at www.adorers.org by clicking on “Support Our Ministries” on the website’s left-hand column.