Margaret Fuerstenberg - Ruff was born March 18, 1916 in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Diocese of La Crosse. At age 2, she was adopted by John and Elizabeth (Quirk) Ruff. Margaret entered the Congregation June 28, 1931 and was received into the novitiate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1933 receiving the religious name Ceciline. On August 13, 1934, Sister Ceciline made her First Vows and on August 13, 1940 her Final Vows, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

From 1938 – 1940, Sister Ceciline studied x-ray and laboratory procedures in St. Mary’s Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin, qualifying to become a member of the American Society of X-Ray Technicians. To prepare to teach medical technology at St. Mary’s, she went to St. Teresa’s College, Winona, Minnesota receiving her B.S. degree in 1952.

Throughout her time of active ministry, Sister Ceciline served for many years in the x-ray laboratory at St. Mary’s Hospital, Wausau, Wisconsin (1938-1955) and St. Joseph’s Hospital, West Bend, Wisconsin (1955-1972). Her final years in health care ministry were spent as a medical technician in the Veterans Hospital, Wood, Wisconsin. While working at Veterans Hospital, Sister Ceciline asked to live with the Agnesian Sisters at St. Florian’s Convent in order to be close to her place of employment. She spent weekends with her SDS community at Good Hope Convent. She wrote about this period of her life:

"With this opportunity and responsibility for myself, I found that I could arrangefor quiet weekends of prayer and listening to what God wanted of me now. I found that I had to learn to relax and listen to God. The fact that I was not getting any younger put certain urgency to what I was finding I needed to do. The Sabbatical (De Pere,WI, 1979) seemed a good chance to get the help I might need to do this."

In 1982, Sister Ceciline retired from salaried employment, but was by no means idle. While residing at Good Hope Convent, Milwaukee, she became a volunteer in activities such as: the Book-mobile Service at St. Michael’s Hospital; Father Gene Jakubek, S.J.’s HELP program; and Laubach Literacy Center. For nine years she resided at our convent in St. Nazianz assisting in the many tasks of the community there. Because of declining health, Sister Ceciline transferred to Salvatorian Heights, then to St. Mary’s Nursing Home and finally in December of 2001, to the nursing home at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, Milwaukee.

During her days at St. Anne’s, she was always eager to participate in the activity programs and was especially happy when children or pets were part of the activity. For several of her years in the nursing home, her sister, Sr. Rita, spent time with her each day and lovingly did many special things for her.

Sister Ceciline was a gentle, prayerful person, and a capable and professional health care giver.

Three days before her death, Sr. Ceciline had a sudden change of condition. She died peacefully as members of all three branches of the Salvatorian Family were keeping vigil with her.

May Christ, our Savior now be her joy and reward.

Sister Ceciline is survived by her brother, Eugene; her sisters, Sister Rita Ruff, SDS. and Bernadette Moore; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ruff and Catherine Ruff; and two brothers-in-law, Richard Moore and Herman Kaiser. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth; a brother, Emmett; and sisters, Eileen Kaiser and Sister Georgine Ruff, SDS.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 1, 2006 at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus Chapel, Milwaukee, WI. with visitation beginning at 11:30 AM. A remembering service will begin at 1:30 PM and will be followed immediately by the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI. on Friday June 2, 2006 at 9:30 AM.