SISTER CHARLOTTE STRUCKHOFF, OSF, 1939-2021
Sing to the Lord a New Song!
Our dear Sister (Joan) Charlotte Struckhoff left this world peacefully on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. She was born July 23, 1939 to Bede and Agnes Struckhoff in the beautiful rolling hills of Augusta, Missouri, and was shaped by her large family and a love of God. In her early years she knew she wanted to be a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help…and so it came to be.
Sister Charlotte soon discovered her love of teaching and a great capacity for music. She was an accomplished organist, pianist, and ukulele player. No matter where she served, she found a way to share the gifts God gave her, especially the gift of music. Organist, piano teacher, parish coordinator of Liturgy and Music, choir director, Spanish music ministry, composer – her love of praising the Lord through song spilled over into the lives all those around her. She composed multiple pieces of music, including a beautiful song entitled “Renueve La Tierra Madre” (Renew Mother Earth) which was published by World Library Publications in 1993.
Sister Charlotte became deeply involved in the Charismatic Renewal of the Church. She served in this ministry in the Archdiocese of St Louis for 11 years. She presented at numerous conferences, wrote many articles, and personally counseled hundreds of people. She was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Her gentle but firm spirit, her smile from within, her willingness to serve, her gift of music, her deep love for her family — all served God the Father, her fellow Sisters, and everyone she met. Her life was truly a new Song to the Lord.
A Mass of Resurrection celebrating her life will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts in honor of Sister Charlotte may be made at www.fsolph.com to help the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help continue to provide for the health care needs of the Sisters. Call (314) 965-3700, ext 109, with questions or to share a story of how Sister Charlotte helped to influence your life.
