Sister Ruth “Rosella” Winnike, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 94, died on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse.

Sister Ruth was born to August and Rosella (Mudd) Winnike on July 23, 1916, in West Point, Iowa. She entered St. Rose Convent on June 20, 1932. Sister Ruth entered the field of education, teaching on the elementary level for six years before teaching home economics in high schools for 32 years, including eight years in Muscatine, seven years in Breda and 13 years in West Point, all in Iowa.  Sister Ruth served as Dean of Women at Viterbo College for one year. From 1973-1979 Sister Ruth taught at Holy Child Jesus School in Canton, Miss. After leaving the classroom, she worked in housekeeping at Villa St. Joseph for three years, librarian a year each at Bondolfi Teacher’s College in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, and St. Luke’s School in Plain, Wis, and volunteered at the Villa until the past several years.

Sister Ruth is survived by her Franciscan Community, including her sister, Lucille Winnike, FSPA, of Hiawatha, Iowa; three other sisters, Celeste Freitag of West Point, Iowa, Jeanice (Max) Clevenger of Mesa, Ariz./Milton, Wis; a sister-in-law, Mary Winnike, and brother-in-law, Adrian Foecke of West Point; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Joseph;, and three sisters, Esther, Fidelis and Winifred.

Sister Ruth chose natural burial. A prayer service was held at 4 p.m. Monday at Villa St. Joseph. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. today, Feb. 8, in the Villa Chapel. Burial will be in the Villa Natural Cemetery, La Crosse.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, WI 54601-4782. 

Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting with arrangements.