January 8, 1928 – December 12, 2024
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Ida Robertine Berresheim, who passed away on December 12, 2024, at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis. She was 96 years of age.
Sister Ida, baptized Elizabeth Eugena, was born on January 8, 1928, in St. Louis to parents Robert and Ida (Loida) Berresheim. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) in 1946 and was received into the novitiate in 1947. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Fontbonne College (now Fontbonne University) in St. Louis in 1960 and a master’s in English from St. Louis University in 1966.
Sister Ida spent her first 20 years of ministry in education, teaching at the primary and intermediate levels. Beginning in 1949 and throughout the 1950s, she taught at the following grade schools: St. Mary Magdalene, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Phillip Neri – all in St. Louis; St. Catherine of Sienna in Denver; St. Patrick in Sedalia, Missouri; and St. Vincent de Paul and St. Phillip Neri, both in St. Louis. She also taught junior high at St. John Grade School in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
In the 1960s, Sister Ida taught on the high school level at Little Flower in Chicago; St. Thomas Aquinas in Florissant, Missouri; and St. Anthony in St. Louis, where she also served as assistant principal.
In 1966, she worked at Fontbonne College on the administrative staff in the registrar’s office.
Sister Ida left the classroom in 1970 to serve her Sisters of St. Joseph community as provincial councilor, assistant provincial superior and assistant general superior at the St. Joseph Generalate (now known as the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Congregational Center).
Twelve years later, Sister Ida began her ministry in the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s vice province of Peru, where she worked in pastoral ministry as well as serving as the vice-province treasurer.
In 1990, she returned to the States and began serving in leadership for our community as general superior of the congregation until 1994.
Sister Ida spent the next 17 years at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, serving migrants and refugees through hospitality, advocacy and education. She served at Casa Majeres de la Esperanza (1994-2003) in various capacities as co-director, program presenter, grant writer, director and volunteer coordinator. She then helped at Annunciation House (2003-2011) as a clerical work, spiritual companion and mentor for Annunciation House in El Paso.
She returned to St. Louis in 2011 and served as the assistant mission coordinator for our congregation. Sister Ida retired in 2013 and began her volunteer ministry, most notably continuing her commitment to her ministry at the border. She joined the Annunciation House Board of Directors and remained a valuable member until 2022.
In 2024, she moved to Nazareth Living Center and carried out her ministry of prayer and presence until her passing.
Sister Ida said that with retirement and advancing age came many gifts, especially educational opportunities, which the community generously enabled. Time for and participation in spiritual direction, music, peace and justice, board work and other activities were among the great gifts of her later years.
Throughout her years of ministry work, Sister Ida received many honors including the Oak of Justice Award from the Peace and Justice Office of the Diocese of El Paso, Texas; the Indefatigable Promotion of Women on the U.S.-Mexico Border from Centro Mujeres de la Esperanza in El Paso; and the Founders’ Award for Distinguished Community Service from Fontbonne College. She was also recognized for her service, contributions and support of programs to the homeless in El Paso.
A Mass of the Resurrection was held on Dec. 18 at the Nazareth Living Center Chapel in St. Louis. Sister Ida’s cremains are buried at Resurrection Cemetery.
Watch the online prayer vigil.
Watch the funeral Mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.