Sister Margaret Bosch

Sister Margaret Bosch, born Mary Ruth, was the third child and only daughter of Ignatius and Margaret Anne (Porth) Bosch. She was born on January 22, 1928, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up near Mother of Counsel Parish and School, where she attended elementary school. It was during this time that she met the Salvatorian Sisters, who inspired her to consider a religious life.

After completing the eighth grade, she attended Mercy High School for three semesters before discussing her desire to become a sister with her parents. She entered Mary’s Convent on August 11, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became a novice on August 12, 1944. Sister Margaret made her first profession on August 13, 1945, and her final profession on August 13, 1951.

Following her profession, Sister Margaret completed high school and attended Divine Savior Junior College for two years. She continued her education at Marquette University, majoring in Latin and minoring in German and Philosophy. She also obtained a master’s degree in Counseling and later attended St. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where she earned a master’s degree in Liturgical Theology.

In 1949, Sister Margaret began her teaching career at Holy Name School in Wausau, Wisconsin. Her time teaching in elementary education was brief, as by 1951, she was part of the charter faculty at the newly opened Divine Savior High School, where she taught German, Latin, and Religion. After earning a Master of Education in Counseling, she served as the guidance counselor and was the Moderator of the Sodality and Student Council.

In 1976, Sister Margaret returned to Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, where she became the head of the Theology Department. Three years later, in 1979, she accepted a position as co-director of the Permanent Diaconate Program for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This program included a three-year formation process for deacons after ordination and a program for their wives. Sister Margaret noted, “These were enriching years for me as I entered into the ups and downs, joys and sorrows of so many faith-filled couples who felt a call to serve the Church.”

After 14 years at Divine Savior, Sister Margaret was appointed as the Juniorate Directress at Salvatorian House on the Marquette University Campus. This was a time of turbulence due to the changes brought about by Vatican II, which called for renewal within the Church and religious life. Following the closure of the Juniorate, Sister Margaret returned to teaching at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, this time in the Theology Department. After five years, she left DSHA to become the director of religious formation for high school students at St. Catherine’s Parish in Portage, Michigan.

In 1994-1995, Sister Margaret spent a year on sabbatical in the Berakah program for personal growth in New Hampshire and studied theology at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. She concluded her sabbatical by celebrating her Golden Jubilee. Following this, she served as a circuit theology teacher in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, traveling throughout the diocese. From 1997 to 1999, she was the Mission Effectiveness Coordinator at St. Mary’s Nursing Home just before its closing. From 1999 to 2014, Sister Margaret served the province as a librarian for our Spiritual Development Library and as a writer of obituaries for our sisters. In 2014, she retired from province ministry and began volunteering at St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus, where she celebrated her 70th Jubilee in 2015.

Sister Margaret is remembered for her dedication to making God’s goodness and kindness known through her varied ministries throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ignatius and Margaret Anne (Porth) Bosch, as well as her brothers Hubert, Robert, and Edward. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, along with her sisters and brothers in the Salvatorian Family.

In 1984, Sister Margaret was elected to serve in leadership within the province. As a team member, she took on the role of Personnel Director. During her visits to the sisters in their ministries, she was inspired by the high regard in which they were held for their professionalism and apostolic work. She also worked with the coordinators of elderly sisters, appreciating the grace with which they accepted their gradual diminution. Before completing her second term in province leadership in January 1990, she was invited by the newly elected Superior General, Sister Jean Schafer, to serve as General Secretary to the Generalate. Sister Margaret remarked, “Being on the Generalate broadened my respect for the diversity of cultures within the Congregation and helped me to have a more global outlook on all of life.”

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 1:15 p.m., at St. Anne’s Nursing Home Chapel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.