+Sister Gervase Judge, O.S.B.
March 9, 1912 – November 29, 2007

Sister Gervase Judge, O.S.B., 95, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kans., died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007. The vigil service will be Sunday, Dec. 2, at 7 pm in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of the Resurrection will be offered there Monday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 am.

Nebraska-born, Sister Gervase was the oldest child (Leona Frances) of Thomas and Josephine Becker Judge and grew up in Exeter and Atkinson, Nebr.. She entered the Mount community June 14, 1928, and made monastic profession Jan. 1, 1930. She celebrated the 75th year of monastic profession in 2005.

After entering, she completed high school at Mount St. Scholastica Academy and graduated from Mount St. Scholastica College. She received her Master's in Education from St. Louis University. From 1930 to 1950 she taught in elementary schools of the area, and from 1950 to 1970 she was teacher of home economics/ nutrition and principal at high schools in Colorado, Iowa, Salisbury, Mo., and in Seneca, Flush, St. Benedict, and Baileyville, Kans. She then taught in elementary schools in Atkinson and Atchison until 1982. Sister Gervase was a firm, kind, and appreciative teacher and colleague. She was an avid sports fan, and she and her sister, Sister Lorene, have been honored by Benedictine College for their loyalty to its teams.

Sister Gervase was preceded in death by her parents, by her brothers Linus and Paul; her sisters Helen (Mrs. Laurence Beman), Doris (Mrs. Ed Humpal), and Agnes (Mrs. Mrs. Max Hamik) She is survived by her sister, Sister Lorene, and her niece Sister Rita Claire Judge, both of the Mount community; by her brother-in-law Max Hamik, of Atkinson, Nebr., by nieces and nephews, and by her monastic family. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or given online.

Let us remember her gratefully in our prayers.


S. Gervase's memorial card

“Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will"
Isaiah 6:8

In the early morning Sister Gervase Judge returned to God to whom she had dedicated her life. Eldest in a family of seven children born to Thomas C. and Josephine Becker Judge, Sister Gervase soon heard the call to religious life. She finished high school at the Mount Academy after she entered in 1928. She received her undergraduate degree at Mount St. Scholastica College, and her Master's in education from St. Louis University in 1958 She celebrated the 75th year of her monastic profession February 10, 2005. A woman of energy, Sister Gervase was wholehearted in her application of monastic values. She influenced family life through her teaching in nutrition and home economics in Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri high schools. She expected from her students a like dedication; she was kind and helpful to them and challenged them to the full use of their talents. Sister Gervase loved life and welcomed its dailiness, surprises, and setbacks with determination and edgy humor from quiet chuckle to hearty laughter. Although her physical strength declined, her spirit remained vigorous. She continued her love of sports, tracking with her sister, Sister Lorene, the outcomes of Benedictine College games and enjoying the weekly word games at Dooley Center. Let us remember her thankfully in prayer.

Reflection given at the Vigil Service.