Ruth Vontz Sister

Our dear aunt Sister Ruth wrote this obituary herself. Her devotion to our Lord, faith, determination, independence, justice and above all love has always been and will be a testimony to us of how to live our lives.

Sister Ruth Vontz was born April 9, 1919, on a farm in Frontier County, Nebraska.

When she was 5 and her brother was 5 months, their mother became ill and never recovered. Her father was left with five children, ages 7 to less than a year. After successful efforts to obtain care for the children he took counsel with the parish priest who directed him to the Sisters of Saint Francis, in Lincoln, Nebraska, who cared for children. The children stayed with the Sisters until they graduated from the eighth grade.

At that time, Mr. Vontz rented a house in Lincoln and the children stayed with him and continued their education in the city.

Sister Ruth continued to visit the Sisters who had cared for her.

In 1943, after working a number of years, she joined the order of the Sisters of St. Francis. Sister was sent to Duchesne College of the Sacred Hearth where she earned a degree in biology. Later, she earned an MA ed. status.

Sister worked in the Catholic schools, which were located in Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico; she also worked at the Technical & Vocational Institute, which was located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 1981, Sister obtained a dispensation to join the Sisters for Christian Community, which was founded on the Documents of Vatican II.

Sister has lived and worked in Montana since 1979. She spent many years volunteering at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

At age 90, she had to retire due to Parkinson's disease. She spent two years at Hunters Glenn, where she was instrumental in working with the company to improve the care, food and environment. Through the kindness of Father Dumais, Sunday Mass is celebrated at Hunters Glenn and weekday Mass at Grizzly Peak, where she has been living.

Sister is survived by the Sisters for Christian Community and the families of her sisters, Helen Morris, Marie Davis, Wilma (Billie) Fleming West and her brother Louis Vontz.

At the time of her death she was a resident of Grizzly Peak.

A vigil service will be held Thursday, April 21, at 7 p.m. with Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 22, at St. Francis Catholic Parish in Missoula. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery and a reception will follow at Reidy Hall. Donations in Sister Ruth's name may be made to the St. Ignatius Missions Church Restoration fund; 300 Beartrack Ave. St. Ignatius, MT 59865.


Read Sister Ruth Vontz's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.