SISTER MARY WILMA GOECKNER, ASC, of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Ruma Center, Ruma, Illinois, died at 6:05 pm at the Center on Wednesday, September 3, 2014. She was 87 years old and had been professed 69 years. She was born to the late George and Rosa (nee Beckmann) Goeckner in Bishop Creek, Illinois (near Effingham) on July 20, 1927. She made her first vows as an Adorer of the Blood of Christ on July 1, 1945 and perpetual profession on July 1, 1950. Sister Mary Wilma served in elementary schools for 28 years, including Guardian Angel in Oran, MO; St. Augustine in Belleville, IL; St. Bruno in Pinckneyville, IL; St. Liborius in St. Libory, IL; SS Peter and Paul in Waterloo, IL; Our Lady in Festus, MO; Visitation in Vienna, MO and St. Michael in Radom, IL, where she volunteered for 2 years, then closed her active ministry by tutoring students for another 6 years. Other ministries included child care at Catholic Childrens Home in Alton, IL for 14 years, dietary service in Ruma, IL, Murphysboro, IL and St. Annes Care Center in Chester, IL, for a total of 8 years; community outreach in Tompkinsville, KY for 2 years and pastoral work in Branson, MO at Our Lady of the Lake for 5 years. She retired to the Ruma Center in 2007, where she sewed, quilted and prayed. Sr. Mary Wilma earned her BS in elementary education at Sacred Heart College (now Newman University) in Withcita, Kansas in 1970. Her interest in issues of justice was increased by her participation in a NETWORK Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C. in 1978. Survivors: 4 Brothers Adolph Goeckner, Virgil (Hilma) Goeckner, Cletus (Judy) Goeckner and Ralph (Joan) Goeckner 2 Sisters Laura Apke and Marcella Burford Preceded in death by: Parents, 1 Brother " Ambrose, 1 Sister " Florence Schumacher, 3 Brothers-in-law " Hubert Apke, Leonard Schumacher and Bernard Burford and 1 Sister-in-law " Mary Lou Goeckner Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am, Saturday, September 6, 2014 Ruma Center Chapel, Ruma, Illinois Officiating: Msgr. Daniel J. Jurek with reflection by a member of the Leadership Team, U.S. Region Visitation: Saturday " 8:00 am " 11:00 am with Wake Service at 10:00 am Ruma Center Chapel, Ruma, Illinois Inurnment: Convent Cemetery Ruma, Illinois Donations in memory of Sister Mary Wilma Goeckner may be sent to the ASC Retirement Fund, 4233 Sulphur Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63109 or online at www.adorers.org, Support Our Ministries .
