A native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, Sister Ruth E. Westmoreland entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1963. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, and a Master of Education degree from Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas. She also holds a permanent professional teaching certificate in Iowa.

Sister Ruth E. served as Canonical Councilor of the congregation from 2012 to 2016. Previously, she served as director of Café on Vine in Davenport, Iowa. Other ministries include serving as a teacher; Academic Dean and Vice President of Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa; Special Assistant for Development for Boysville and the Ennis Center for Children in Michigan; and in childcare work, parish social ministry, and shelter work at Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.