Sister Barbara Jean Rosswurm
Sister Barbara Jean Rosswurm, CSA, formerly known as Sister Glenn Marie, died peacefully June 5, 2025, at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac, WI.
Barbara Jean was born August 2, 1937, in New Haven, IN, the daughter of Glenn and Lucille Krick Rosswurm. She and her eight siblings treasured the memories of growing up together and remained a closely knit family. Inspired by her elementary teachers, the Sisters of St. Agnes, Barbara Jean entered St. Agnes Convent after 8th grade with the support of her parents who taught her not just to have faith, but to live it. She graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1954 and chose to continue in formation for religious life. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Glenn Marie on August 15, 1956, in Fond du Lac, WI.
Sister earned her BS in Education from Marian College, Fond du Lac, WI, and received certificates in Apostolic Spirituality and Religious Education throughout her years as a teacher, Director of Religious Education, and pastoral minister. Her first ministry assignment as a House Parent at Holy Family Orphanage, Marquette, MI, enkindled within her a deep love and compassion for vulnerable children and their families. She went on to teach elementary grade classes and religious education classes for 15 years in Catholic Schools in New York, Pennsylvania, and at St. Louis Elementary School in Fond du Lac, WI (1968-1973).
Beginning in 1973, Sister Barbara Jean accepted positions as the Director of Religious Education in parishes in Kansas, Indiana, and Florida. She was greatly respected and beloved in these parishes for her leadership and ability to shape genuinely inspiring and effective religious education programs. While serving as the DRE at St. Joseph’s Parish in Hays, KS, Sister recognized the need for children who were developmentally disabled to be included in the parish community. She learned of the REACH program (Religious Education and Activities for the Community Handicapped) and implemented this program very successfully in the parish. She initiated the REACH program at St. Joseph Parish in Ft. Wayne, IN, and at the parishes she served in Florida. She was honored for her determined and compassionate commitment to shaping this program for each parish she served.
Sister suffered from severe arthritis for many years of her life which led her to seek the warmer climate of Florida to ease some of the pain (1983 – 2018). Along with her DRE ministry in several parishes, she also spent time in pastoral roles including being
named an Advocate for the Diocese of Palm Beach for marriage annulments. Upon retirement from full-time ministry, she volunteered in several outreach programs. One of her favorite activities was at Connor’s Place in West Palm Beach, FL, a shelter dedicated to the care of substance-exposed and HIV-infected babies. She would hold the infants closely as they experienced withdrawal symptoms, talk softly, sing and hum to them. Her dedication earned her the respect of the other volunteers and shelter staff leading her to be named Volunteer of the Year in 1993.
In January of 2018, Sister returned to Fond du Lac to join her community of sisters at the CSA retirement facility, Nazareth Court and Center. She faithfully participated in the life of the community and received loving care until the time of her death.
Sister Barbara Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Stanley, Edwin, and Richard, her sisters Dorothy Nichter, Lois Emenhiser, Rosemary Rosswurm, and Nancy Hauser.
Sister is survived by her sister Linda (Jim) Eastman, her sister-in-law Mary Ann Rosswurm, her nieces, nephews, their families, and by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.
Services for Sister Barbara Jean will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 –1:30 p.m. at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI.
A Prayer Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. in Nazareth Center Chapel, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, WI.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 2:00 p.m. in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, WI, with Father Tom Zelinski, OFM Cap., presiding.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, WI.
Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.
The Sisters of St. Agnes and the Rosswurm family are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, St. Agnes Hospital 5 West, and Hospice Hope for their care of Sister Barbara Jean.
Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.