- Birth Name: Ruth Ann
- Current Name: Sister Ruth
- Religious Name: Sister Mary Augustine
- Last Name: Geraets
- Mother's Name: Mary Agnes (Ginsbach) Geraets
- Father's Name: Louis Geraets
- Hometown: Dell Rapids, SD
- Entry Date: August 31, 1960
Education:
St. Mary School, Dell Rapids, SD
1963 - Presentation Junior College, Aberdeen, SD - Associate Degree in Education
1972 - Northern State College, Aberdeen, SD - Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Mathematics
1986 - University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN - Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Studies - Theology and Pastoral Counseling
1999 - St. Louis University, St. Lois, MO - Certificate Religious Life and the Formative Journey
Biography:
For 21 years, Sister Ruth taught grades third through seventh in Catholic schools in Minnesota and South Dakota. Then she ventured to McDowell County, WV to do outreach work with those made poor as coal companies pulled out of the area, followed by ministry on the Cheyenne River Reservation directing shelters for abused and neglected women and children. After receiving her masters, Sister enjoyed serving with Holy Family in Mitchell, SD, Nativity in Fargo, ND and St. Benedict Parish, Wild Rice, ND. Later Sister managed low-income townhouses in Sioux Falls, SD and then moved to Presentation Convent in Aberdeen, SD to serve as Sister Care Coordinator. In January of 2008, she became Congregational Treasurer. Sister Ruth was also Coordinator of Formation and Director of Novices from 1999 to 2011.
1964-1968 - St. Stephen Catholic School, Anoka, MN - Third Grade
1968-1973 - Our Lady of the Lake, Mound, MN - Third and Fifth Grade
1973-1976 - St. Thomas, Madison, SD - Fifth Grade
1976-1979 - Sacred Heart, Aberdeen, SD - Fourth Grade
1979-1981 - St. Thomas, Madison, SD - High School Religion/Confirmation and Junior High School Math and Religion
1981-1985 - Holy Family, Mitchell, SD - Fourth and Fifth Grade
1985-1989 - Diocese of Wheeling, Charleston, WV - Outreach Worker in McDowell County for Catholic Community Services
1989-1994 - Sacred Heart Center, Eagle Butte, SD - Executive Director
1995-1996 - Holy Family, Mitchell, SD - Pastoral Associate
1996-1998 - Nativity, Fargo, ND - Pastoral Minister
1998-1999 - St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO -Institute of Religious Formation Director of Formation
1999-2011 - Coordinator of Formation and Director of Novices
1999-2001 - St. Patrick Convent, St. Paul, MN - Inter Community Novitiate
2001-2003 - St. Benedict of Wild Rice, Horace, ND - Pastoral Minister
2003-2004 - St. Patrick Convent, St. Paul, MN - Inter Community Novitiate
2004-2006 - Rolling Hills Town House, Sioux Falls, SD - HUD Management
2006-2007 - Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD - Sister Care Coordinator
2008-2018 - Presentation College Board of Trustees
2008-2020 - Seventh Generation Interfaith advocate for Socially Responsible Investment
2008-Present - Presentation Convent, Aberdeen, SD - Congregational Treasurer