Sister Judith Schmidt, CSA, baptized Gladys Joan, died peacefully
September 10, 2021, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Gladys was born April 13, 1934, in Catharine, Kansas, the oldest of
seven children of Felix Schmidt and Angela Beilman Schmidt. Gladys grew
up immersed in farm life among the Volga German community in Catharine.
She attended Girls Catholic High School in Hays, Kansas, where she
continued being taught by the Sisters of St. Agnes. After graduation
from high school in 1952, Gladys entered St. Agnes Convent. She made
her profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as
Sister Judith on August 15, 1955, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Sister Judith received her BS in Elementary Education from Marian
College of Fond du Lac in 1962, and, in 1971, her MS in Educational
Administration from Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan. She taught in
elementary schools in Wisconsin including six years as principal and
teacher at St. Bernard’s School, Watertown, Wisconsin. In 1969, she was
appointed Apostolic Councilor for the congregation, assisting in
educational planning and personnel placement for CSA. Following this
term of service, Sister Judith was the principal of Immaculate
Conception Grade School, Elmhurst, Illinois, from 1975–1977.
In 1977, Sister Judith was elected General Superior of the
Congregation, a position she held until 1985. She helped lead the
community through the many changes in religious life that resulted from
the Second Vatican Council.
Upon completing her role as General Superior, Sister Judith attended
the University of Wisconsin, Madison, taking courses in Adult Education
and Governance in Higher Education. In the fall of 1986, she joined the
education department at Marian College of Fond du Lac, guiding student
teachers and assisting with the evening adult education programs. In
1987, she was appointed the first Vice President of Development for
Marian, a position she held for ten years. In her final years at
Marian, she served as Vice President for Community Relations and
Mission.
In July 2008, Sister Judith became the first President of the
combined St. Mary’s Springs High School and FACES System now known
as St. Mary’s Springs Academy, Pre-K–12. She proudly served in this
position until July 2011. In appreciation for her legacy of leadership
and commitment to Marian University and St. Mary’s Springs Academy, an
admission award for SMSA graduates enrolling in Marian was named the
Sister Judith Schmidt Award.
Sister Judith was beloved in the Fond du Lac community as an
educational and civic leader, as a board member for several
organizations serving those in need, and for fostering the expansion of
the arts and music in the city. In June 2016, Sister Judith joined the
community of sisters residing at Nazareth Court and Center in Fond du
Lac. Frail health led her to move to St. Francis Home in 2020 where she
received loving care until the time of her death.
Sister Judith was preceded in death by her parents Felix and Angela
Schmidt, her brother Thomas, and her sisters Inez Schmidt (infant),
Phyllis Schmidt, and Pamela Shaffer.
She is survived by her sisters Marla (Dennis) Staab and Donna
Schmidt (Duane Coyle); her brother-in-law Warren Shaffer and her
sister-in-law Doris Schmidt; nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and
the Sisters of St. Agnes with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.
Private funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 21,
2021, with Father Kenneth Smits, Capuchin, presiding. Services will
include a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m. and the Liturgy of Christian
Burial at 2:00 p.m. To RECEIVE a link for livestreaming of the services
on September 21, please call St. Agnes Convent, 920-907-2300, between
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. by September 20.
Cremation will take place following the services. Burial will be at
St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at a later date.
A public Celebration of Sister Judith’s Life will be held at a future date.
Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.
The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of
Nazareth Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their
care of Sister Judith in her final years.