Takes, Sister Mary Ruth Ann

Sister Mary Ruth Ann Takes, PBVM, 69, died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Mount Loretto Motherhouse, 2360 Carter Rd., Dubuque, Iowa. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Mount Loretto, with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Mount Loretto, where there will be a wake service at 7 p.m. Hoffmann-Schneider Funeral Home, Dubuque, is in charge of arrangements.

Sister Ruth Ann, daughter of Leo and Rozena (Smith) Takes, was born Karen Kathryn Takes on Feb. 12, 1944, in Monti, Iowa. She entered the Sisters of the Presentation in September 1962, and professed her perpetual vows on Aug. 22, 1969.

She received a BA from Clarke College, Dubuque (music), an MA from University of Milwaukee (music), and an MA from Loyola University, Chicago (pastoral studies).

Her Presentation career took her to Mason City, Whittemore, Humboldt, Cedar Falls, Varina and Dubuque, all in Iowa, Clara City, Minn., and Timber Lake, S.D. Her ministries included music teacher, pastoral minister and liturgist, Mount Loretto house coordinator (2004-2010), and most recently, pastoral care associate at St. Therese of New Hope, Minn.

Sister Ruth Ann enjoyed singing with the Dubuque Archdiocesan Chorale and the Sweet Adelines, playing in bell choirs, embroidering, and reading, line dancing and walking in nature. She stated that in the reality of life there are always difficult hurdles and situations that will happen. “Seek first the kingdom of God and the rest will fall in place.” Reflecting on her 50th Jubilee, celebrated in 2012, she stated, “I've been blessed with the gift of joy and a love for life.”

Surviving are her brothers, Carroll (Madonna) and James (Julie); her sisters, Patricia (Mark) McCright and Diane (Dave) Knott; nieces; nephews; and the Sisters of the Presentation with whom she shared her life for 51 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister-in-law, Janet Takes; and her nephews, Michael and Ryan.

Memorials may be made to the Sisters of the Presentation, 2360 Carter Rd., Dubuque, IA 52001.

Published March 25, 2013 in The Gazette