Sister Theresa Marie Braun, ASC, died Tuesday, January 7, 2020, at the Ruma Center in Ruma, Illinois. She was 93 years old and was a professed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ for 76 years.
She was born December 13, 1926, in Chester, Illinois, one of five children of William and Florence (Wolshock) Braun. She made her first profession on July 1, 1943, and her final vows on July 1, 1948.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in speech therapy, with a minor in education, from Saint Louis University in 1960, and her master’s in elementary education from the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1965.
Sister Theresa Marie taught nearly every grade in elementary school and frequently served as principal. In Missouri, she served at St. Joseph Neier in Union, St. Augustine in Kelso, Guardian Angel in Oran and St. Agnes in Springfield.
In Illinois, she taught and was house mother at the former Catholic Children’s Home in Alton. She also taught and/or served as principal at St. Ann in Nashville, St. Andrew in Murphysboro, St. Joseph in Olney, St. Clare in O’Fallon, St. Mary in Taylorville, Immaculate Conception in Centreville, St. Boniface in Evansville and St. Mary in Chester. She also was superintendent of schools for the Clinton County (Illinois) School District No. 63 in Albers.
She was liaison to the Adorers’ Associates, the spiritual leader of the sisters at the Ruma Center and director of mission integration at St. Clement (now Red Bud Regional) Hospital in Red Bud, Illinois.
Her final ministry was as director of Food Pantry Services for Catholic Charities in Quincy, Illinois.
She was gentle, kind and generous, dedicated to prayer, liked to have fun, and appreciated good food. She was an avid card player and quilter and lover of nature.
Sister Theresa Marie is survived by her sisters Charlene A. Kogler and Bernadette (Charles) Dignan; nephews and nieces Will (Jenny) Kogler, Lynette Kogler, George (Valentina) Dignan and Charles Dignan, Jr.; and members of the U.S. Region of Adorers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert (Buddy) Braun, OMI, and her sister Rita Braun.
She was buried in the Ruma Center cemetery.