TERRE HAUTE Ind. — Sister Ruth Ellen Doane, who worked in parish ministry including in Ottumwa and Bloomfield, died Feb. 5 at Gibson Family Center.
She was born Apri 19, 1936, to Bert and Lillian Fehribach Doane in Jasper, Indiana. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Jan. 4, 1954, professed vows Aug. 15, 1956, and took final vows Aug. 15, 1961.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in St. Mary, Indiana, and a master’s degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, both in mathematics and later a second master’s degree in theology from Saint Meinrad College in Meinrad, Indiana.
Of her 67 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a teacher for 36 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and Massachusetts as well as serving three years at the American International School in Dusseldorf, Germany. She moved from teaching to parish work in 1993, serving for 13 years in parishes in Indiana and rural Iowa. From 1999-2007 Sister Doane was a pastoral associate at St. Mary Magdelen Parish-Bloomfield and St. Patrick Parish-Ottumwa. In 2007, she moved to Indianapolis where she gave volunteer service to a number of ministries related to the congregation. In 2016 she returned to the motherhouse where she gave assistance at Providence Spirituality and Conference Center. Beginning in 2020, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.
Due to the restrictions on group meetings, the wake and funeral on Feb. 25 are not open to the public. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN, 47876.