Sister Becker

Sister Gertrude Becker, aka Helen Gansforth Becker, died peacefully at the Ursuline Queen of peace Infirmary in Alton, Illinois on November 13, 2013. The daughter of Henry Gansforth and Gertrude Pfeiffer, she was born December 31, l910, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She is preceded in death by a sister, Anna Marie Catherine Becker, known at Sister Andre,OSU and a brother, Anthony.

She attended St. Matthew’s elementary school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and secondary school at St. Matthew’s for two years, finishing at Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood, Missouri.  Her Bachelor of Arts degree is from Fontbonne College and her MBA is from DePaul University.  She entered the Ursuline Novitiate in Alton, Illinois in July of 1933 and made vows in January of 1936. Her colorful life of service includes Alton and Springfield, Illinois; Kirkwood, Missouri; Texarkana, Texas; Boulder, Colorado, and Thibodaux and New Orleans, Louisiana.  She gave herself to teaching at the elementary, secondary, and college levels, to serving as Provincial Secretary and Treasurer, playing a major part in introducing computerized accounting in the province, and to parish work in adult education. She also did volunteer work for the Louisiana State Museum and the New Orleans Symphony.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 19 at the Ursuline Convent Chapel, 845 Danforth Street, Alton, Illinois.   Her body will be buried in Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

Memorials may be made to the Queen of Peace Healthcare Center, 845 Danforth Street, Alton, Illinois, 62002.

Staten-Fine Funeral Home in Alton is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.staten-fine.com

Obit Provided By:
Staten, Fine & Burke Funeral Home