Sister Judith Ann Wagener, SSND, 68, of Eau Claire died Monday, November 23, 2009, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire after a courageous battle with cancer. Sr. Judie was the third daughter of Vincent and Rita Wagener. Sr. Judie grew up in Eau Claire, attending Sacred Heart Grade School and Regis High School. Her class from Regis recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary of Graduation which she and her classmates coordinated. While going to Regis, Sr. Judie paid her tuition by babysitting for 25 cents an hour. \r\nSr. Judie entered the Candidature of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mequon, Wisconsin in August of 1959. In July of 1961, she was received as a Novice and given the name of Sr. Rita Vincent, using the names of her mother and father. She took Final Vows in 1966. Her father had five aunts who were SSND and also several brothers who were priests. \r\nSr. Judie got her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mt. Mary College and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago in 1987. She served in various ministries, including being a teacher, Director of Religious Education, principal and a Pastoral Minister.\r\nSr. Judie has served in the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Green Bay Diocese, Superior Diocese and most recently in the La Crosse Diocese. For the last 10 years, Sr. Judie has served as Pastoral Minister at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Eau Claire.\r\nSr. Judie had a special love for the elderly and often visited them in their homes in the Eau Claire community. She was involved in the inter-faith ministry at St. James. She was a graduate of the Diocesan Biblical School, and was able to travel to the Holy Land after her graduation in 2007.\r\nSr. Judie had a love for music, playing double bass and guitar. She was a cantor at Mass and often led songs at gatherings. She loved to travel and was able to experience a trip to Central America. She later shared her experience of a third world country with her community and friends.\r\nIn 2005, Sr. Judie was diagnosed with cancer. She was very brave and always tried her best to keep a positive attitude, even when enduring a lot of pain. She always felt love and support from her family, SSND community, her parish family and many friends.\r\nSr. Judie is survived by her five sisters and three brothers, Paula (Ed) Malone of Mesa, AZ, Gloria Krueger of Horicon, Peter (Luba) Wagener of Eau Claire, Rosemary Moe of Plymouth, MN, Irene (Russell) Mackie of Monona, Annette Hritz of Chaska, MN; Steven (Michele) Wagener and Thomas Wagener both of Eau Claire; eighteen nieces and nephews; the SSND Community; as well as many friends.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Rita Wagener; and her special friend, Mary Moyle. \r\nSr. Judie will be remembered by her great love of family, community and nature. Sr. Judie was looking forward to celebrating her 50th Anniversary as a SSND in 2011. She was a loyal member of the SSND community, as well as a strong leader and a great role model for women in the church. She will always remain in our memory and in our hearts.\r\nIN HOPE AND PEACE, WE ENTER INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD.From YAS Const. 47\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2009, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th St., Eau Claire with Father John Schultz and Father Tom Merrill, OFM, Conv., celebrants. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Eau Claire. Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday and from 10:30 a.m. until the time of Mass Saturday at St. James the Greater Catholic Church. A public prayer vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the church. \r\nMemorials are preferred to the School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Fund, Office of SSND Mission Advancement, 13105 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, WI 53122, or the All Are Welcome Fund at St. James the Greater Parish.\r\n \r\n

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