Sr. Ruth Kathryn Etzel SSMO

Ruth Kathryn Etzel, the daughter of Frank and Anna (Minden) Etzel, was born in Stayton, Oregon on March 13, 1932. She grew up in a lively Catholic family with her 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Her early education was at Fern Ridge Elementary School (Stayton) and St. Boniface Catholic School (Sublimity). Sr. Ruth Etzel graduated from St. Mary of the Valley Academy (Valley Catholic High School, Beaverton) in 1949.

On August 15th after her graduation, Sr. Ruth Etzel entered the Community of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and received the name Sr. Marciana. She made final profession as a SSMO on August 15, 1954. After Vatican II, Sr. Ruth reaffirmed her baptismal name.

Sr. Ruth continued her education at Marylhurst University earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1959. Her post-graduate studies were at University of Portland, Seattle University, Gonzaga University (Master in Education, 1969) and Portland State University, (Oregon Administration Certification, 1987).

Sr. Ruth proclaimed the Good News of God’s love throughout her exceptional 45-year career in Catholic education in the Pacific Northwest. She served as teacher at Visitation (Verboort), Sacred Heart (Tillamook), Holy Cross (Portland), St. Francis of Assisi (Roy), St. Mary’s (Stayton), St. Michael (Grande Ronde), and St. Pius X (Portland). An educational leader, Sr. Ruth Etzel served as principal at St. Mary’s (Spokane, WA), at Our Lady of Guadalupe (Seattle, WA), at St. Boniface (Sublimity) and, for 19-years, at Visitation (Verboort).

In 1997, Sr. Ruth moved to the SSMO Motherhouse in Beaverton as Director of Formation for the new members of the community. Her prayer, her simplicity and compassion, her love of God, her neighbor, and her vocation inspired and challenged the novices with whom she worked. Her daily life, echoing that of Mary, the joyful servant of the Lord, was lived with prayer, simplicity and love. She was a teacher in words and actions to her students, to the newer SSMOs, and to all she encountered.

The last 20 years of Sr. Ruth’s ministry was in service to her SSMO community as treasurer and sacristan.

Sr. Ruth’s cherished experience was working with other SSMOs in a migrant camp in 1977. Serving food, helping with childcare, teaching religion or English, she found joy in revealing God’s love. Sr. Ruth shared in the SSMO care and prayer for priests. To her prayer, she added gifts of produce from her well-cared for tomato garden. SSMOs remember waiting for the second round of ripe tomatoes, as the priest chaplains received the first. Sr. Ruth’s often spoke with thanks to God: “God has been so good to me. I am always thankful.” Sr. Ruth had a passionate love for Christ in the Eucharist. Her years as sacristan allowed her to demonstrate that love in her beautiful chapel bouquets.

Sr. Ruth Etzel passed away on March 15, 2023 at the SSMO Motherhouse. She is missed, loved and survived by her Sisters in Community, her brother Donald, her many nieces and nephews, the Motherhouse caregivers, and her many dear friends. Sr. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Anna Etzel, her brother Francis, her sisters Mary Ann Silbernagel and Jeanne Bradley.

Memorial offerings may be directed to the Catholic Church Extension Society

or to the Archdiocese of Portland Seminary Education.

May she rest in God’s loving embrace!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.peggpaxsonspringerfuneralhome.com