Sister David Ruschmann
Sister David Ruschmann was born in Campbell County, Kentucky on July 3, 1926, the ninth child of Clara and Joseph Ruschmann. David was blessed with two younger brothers (one died in early childhood) and eight sisters. The family grew up on a 48 Acre farm which was located three miles from Saint Therese School in Southgate, Kentucky.
As a first grader, David walked to school with an older sister but as a second grader her father drove the younger children to school and brought them home everyday since she and her younger sisters were too young to walk the highway alone. Her first two years of High School were spent as a boarder at Villa Madonna Academy which was operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Walburg Monastery. She transferred to Divine Providence Academy in Newport for her junior and senior years so she and her sister could attend and live at home since Divine Providence was much closer to home. David was the first of her family to graduate from High School.
Clara Ruschmann was eager to see her daughters answer God’s call and following graduation from high school, at the age of 18, David entered Saint Walburg Monastery to become a Benedictine Sister, just as two of her older sisters had done. The following two years in the convent were spent in religious formation and college studies, David had to make a decision. She always envisioned herself as a cook for the sisters but God had a better plan. She was asked to enter the nursing profession, a much better choice for her future.
David received her college degree (cum laude) in nursing from Saint Scholastica College in Duluth, Minnesota and then went on to the School of Anesthesia at Saint John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. From there David was assigned for 5 years as Director of Nursing Service and Nurse Anesthetist to Santa Fe Hospital in La Junta, Colorado and to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Florence, Colorado in the same position for 11 years. She returned to Kentucky in 1967 as Director of Nursing at Madonna Manor.
The summer of 1968 brought David to Estill County where she would spend the next 37 years. For 15 of those years, she worked as Director of Nursing Service and Nurse Anesthetist at Marcum- Wallace Memorial Hospital. She vividly remembers the beautiful relationships and especially the opportunity to work with Dr. Bill Clouse, Dr. Glenn Marcum, Dr. Virginia Wallace and Dr. Charles Terry. Even though it was a difficult job, it was an especially rewarding experience to help in the delivery and car of newborns. Sister David also served in the anesthesia department of Clark Regional Hospital in Winchester following her service in Irvine.
Sister David was also involved in the community in many ways. She helped Elizabeth Witt with her Christmas Party for the children of Estill County. She worked with Delvin Reece and the Habitat for Humanity. She also participated in Medical Mission trips to several third world countries.
As their active ministry in the health care field slowly came to an end, the sisters began to consider moving back to the monastery in 2005. However, Sister David and her dear colleagues are proud of the contributions that they have witnessed and contributed to Estill County and especially to the Marcum Wallace Memorial Hospital. Sister David says, “The community and hospital will always have a special place in the hearts and prayers of the Sisters of Saint Walburg Monastery.”
As a first grader, David walked to school with an older sister but as a second grader her father drove the younger children to school and brought them home everyday since she and her younger sisters were too young to walk the highway alone. Her first two years of High School were spent as a boarder at Villa Madonna Academy which was operated by the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Walburg Monastery. She transferred to Divine Providence Academy in Newport for her junior and senior years so she and her sister could attend and live at home since Divine Providence was much closer to home. David was the first of her family to graduate from High School.
Clara Ruschmann was eager to see her daughters answer God’s call and following graduation from high school, at the age of 18, David entered Saint Walburg Monastery to become a Benedictine Sister, just as two of her older sisters had done. The following two years in the convent were spent in religious formation and college studies, David had to make a decision. She always envisioned herself as a cook for the sisters but God had a better plan. She was asked to enter the nursing profession, a much better choice for her future.
David received her college degree (cum laude) in nursing from Saint Scholastica College in Duluth, Minnesota and then went on to the School of Anesthesia at Saint John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. From there David was assigned for 5 years as Director of Nursing Service and Nurse Anesthetist to Santa Fe Hospital in La Junta, Colorado and to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Florence, Colorado in the same position for 11 years. She returned to Kentucky in 1967 as Director of Nursing at Madonna Manor.
The summer of 1968 brought David to Estill County where she would spend the next 37 years. For 15 of those years, she worked as Director of Nursing Service and Nurse Anesthetist at Marcum- Wallace Memorial Hospital. She vividly remembers the beautiful relationships and especially the opportunity to work with Dr. Bill Clouse, Dr. Glenn Marcum, Dr. Virginia Wallace and Dr. Charles Terry. Even though it was a difficult job, it was an especially rewarding experience to help in the delivery and car of newborns. Sister David also served in the anesthesia department of Clark Regional Hospital in Winchester following her service in Irvine.
Sister David was also involved in the community in many ways. She helped Elizabeth Witt with her Christmas Party for the children of Estill County. She worked with Delvin Reece and the Habitat for Humanity. She also participated in Medical Mission trips to several third world countries.
As their active ministry in the health care field slowly came to an end, the sisters began to consider moving back to the monastery in 2005. However, Sister David and her dear colleagues are proud of the contributions that they have witnessed and contributed to Estill County and especially to the Marcum Wallace Memorial Hospital. Sister David says, “The community and hospital will always have a special place in the hearts and prayers of the Sisters of Saint Walburg Monastery.”