Sister Marcia Kruse, ASC, celebrated 60 years with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows on Sunday, September 15, 2024. She made her first profession on July 1, 1964, and her final vows on June 29, 1969. She marked her anniversary with the Eucharistic liturgy, followed by a reception.
A native of Columbia, IL, she was one of three children born to Arthur and Thekla Kruse. Before joining the Adorers, she received her BA in Latin from St. Louis University in 1962. Her MA in Spanish in 1971, MA in Religious Studies in 1988, and Certificate from the Institute of Religious Formation in 1987 were all earned at St. Louis University.
Sister Marcia’s teaching ministry began at Precious Blood Institute in Ruma, IL where she taught Latin and Spanish. She continued teaching high school at Mater Dei in Breese, St. Edmond in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Gibault in Waterloo. She taught in the fields of Religion, Latin, and Spanish. Sister Marcia spent 18 years as a missionary, five in Puerto Rico and 13 in Bolivia. Her time in Bolivia included being a member of the ASC formation team for Bolivian women who wished to join the community; she was also director of the Intercommunity Formation Program of LaPaz.
Sister Marcia’s missionary spirit shaped her teaching before and after serving in Latin America. Following her return from Bolivia, she taught at Gibault, where she moderated the International Club, a group designed to expand the cultural horizons of her students. She retired from teaching in June 2013 and continues to reside in Waterloo. Since retiring, he has done tutoring, substitute teaching, translating, and writing. She is a member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association and the Mary and Martha Society at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo. She is a member of the music ministry for liturgies at Immaculate Conception in Columbia.
Sister Marcia resides in the Waterloo Neighborhood Community where she continues to write and publish poetry in the local newspaper. She is also writing her memoir, based on her missionary experiences and her life as a religious for 60 years.