JOHNSTON, Iowa — Sister Joan Marie Schuster, CHM, 94, a retired educator, died July 9 at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center.
Mary Jane Schuster was born Nov. 13, 1930 in Amidon, North Dakota to Clifford and Iva (Harding) Schuster. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1948 and made her first profession in 1951 taking the name Sister Joan Marie.
She received an associate degree in elementary education from Ottumwa Heights College-Ottumwa, a bachelor’s in elementary education from Marycrest College-Davenport and an M.A. in education administration from Loras College-Dubuque, Iowa.
Sister Schuster’s ministry in Catholic education spanned more than three decades. She began her ministry as an elementary school teacher at St. Joseph School in Dunlap, Iowa followed by teaching positions at Archbishop Dowling-Minneapolis; St. Mary-Great Falls, Montana; St. Theresa-Des Moines; St. Pius X-Rock Island, Illinois; St. Sebastian-Santa Paula, California; Our Lady of Lourdes-Bettendorf; St. Alphonsus-Davenport; and St. Mary, Ottumwa. She served as a principal and teacher at St. Henry-Marshalltown, Iowa; St. Louis King-Phoenix; and St. Mary-Centerville.
In 1985, she moved to Davenport and worked briefly as a cook, dishwasher and then coordinator of retired sisters at the Humility of Mary Center until her retirement in 1998.
Outside of her work life, Sister was an avid lover of nature, observing the butterflies and birds both in person and over livestreams, as well as attending outdoor festivals to learn about horses, activities such as syrup-making, and watching hot air balloons. She will be remembered for her positive, fun demeanor.
Her funeral was held July 14 at Humility of Mary Center Magnificat Chapel-Davenport with burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Davenport.
Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.
