Sr. Joan Marie Schuster, CHM

Sister Joan Marie Schuster, CHM, 94, died July 9, 2025, at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa. Services at Bishop Drumm Our Lady of Peace Chapel: Friday, July 11, Visitation, 2:30 p.m. and Memorial Service, 3:30 p.m.. In Davenport, Iowa, Humility of Mary Center Magnificat Chapel, services are on Sunday, July 13, Rosary and Visitation, 4:00 p.m. and Memorial Service 7:00 p.m. and on Monday, July 14, Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m. followed by interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Mary Jane Schuster was born November 13, 1930 in Amidon, North Dakota to Clifford and Iva (Harding) Schuster. She entered the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in 1948 and made her first profession in 1951 taking the name Sister Joan Marie.

She received an associate degree in elementary education from Ottumwa Heights College, in Ottumwa, Iowa, a bachelor’s in elementary education from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, and an M.A. in education administration from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Sister Joan Marie’s ministry in Catholic education spanned more than three decades. She began her ministry as an elementary school teacher at St. Joseph School in Dunlap, Iowa from 1951-52 followed by teaching positions at Archbishop Dowling, Minneapolis, Minnesota (1952-55), St. Mary, Great Falls, Montana (1955-58), St. Theresa, Des Moines, Iowa (1958-58), St. Pius X, Rock Island, Illinois (1959-60 and 1972-75), St. Sebastian, Santa Paula, California (1960-61), Our Lady of Lourdes, Bettendorf, Iowa (1961-63), St. Alphonsus, Davenport (1963-64) and St. Mary, Ottumwa (1964-65). She served as a principal and teacher at St. Henry, Marshalltown, Iowa (1965-66), St. Louis King, Phoenix, Arizona (1966-72) and St. Mary, Centerville, Iowa (1975-85).

In 1985, she moved to Davenport and worked briefly as a cook, dishwasher and then coordinator of retired sisters at the Humility of Mary Center until her retirement in 1998.

Outside of her work life, Sister was an avid lover of nature, observing the butterflies and birds both in person and over livestreams, as well as attending outdoor festivals to learn about horses, activities like syrup-making, and to watch hot air balloons. She will be remembered for her positive, fun demeanor. Her sense of humor remained strong even in times of adversity.

Sister Joan Marie is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Zetty Clare Schuster Timlin. She is survived by cousins and her CHM community. Memorials may be made to the Congregation of the Humility of Mary.