SISTER M. EDWARDINE GEROU, OSF, 90, was called home by our heavenly Father early this morning, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Services were held at St. Francis Convent, Hankinson. A Vigil Service, 7:00 p.m. Sunday, January 30; Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 31.
Sister Edwardine’s sister Cathy was with her when she passed. Cathy and her husband Stan had been assisting her in many ways from the onset of her first bout with cancer in November, 2020. For days before her death, Sister Donna, the Sisters and Father Brooks had been keeping vigil, offering prayers and Masses for the grace of a happy death. The staff of St. Mary’s, the nursing wing of the convent, cannot be thanked enough for all they did to help Sister Edwardine over her years of illness. The same care was often seen from other staff throughout other departments; especially, by Jim Wilm in the gardens and greenhouse that were so much a part of her joy in life.
Sister Edwardine was born to her parents Philip and Lucille Gerou October 8, 1931, at Drayton, ND. About her years growing up she recalled, “Our daily life was inseparable from parish life at St. Edward’s Parish, where we received our initial religious education and first sacraments. The liturgy and sermons, along with study club offerings, became rich sources of faith growth in our home. To this was added family prayers and religious reading material.” Sister Edwardine always smiled when telling, “We met Sisters from several different religious communities through summer vacation school.
At one of them I announced I would like to be a Sister because I liked long dresses.”
Following high school graduation from Drayton High School, Eulalia came to St. Francis Convent in the Fall of 1949. Her reception into the Novitiate took place on July 17, 1950, on which day she received her religious name, Sister Mary Edwardine. A year later she made her first vows becoming a “Bride of Christ” on July 18, 1951. She made her perpetual profession on July 18, 1954.
Sister Edwardine celebrated her 70th Jubilee of religious profession on July 31, 2021. She summarized her life in the following words: “All in all, 70 years are truly but drops in the bucket of eternity. Each drop reflects so much of God’s love in persons, places and circumstances before which hind sight bows in gratitude. I see Religious Life as a privileged call to holiness as we journey through life with the Lord.”
Sister Edwardine spent her entire religious life in Hankinson. Her apostolic works included 40 years of teaching religion. She served St. Philip’s Parish as their Religious Education Coordinator from 1983 to 2004. She also served as local convent superior, as coordinator for CWR (Catholic Women Religious), on the Diocesan Pastoral Council and was a board member of Catholic Education and Formation.
Sister Edwardine’s love of the outdoors often found her working in the gardens and flower beds and tending the fish in the pond she helped build in the late-1960’s. Her artistic nature could be seen throughout our beautiful grounds, as well as, in the many beautiful candles she made for various occasions and to sell in the gift shop.
Sister Edwardine is survived by her Franciscan Community, her sisters Mary Lou Brosseau, Veronica Wilson, Cathy (Stan) Gaynor, sister-in-law Gloria Gerou, and many nieces, nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Philip and Lucille Gerou; brothers Eugene, Aelred, Cyril and Michael; brothers-in-law David Greenwood, Al Wilson and Lynn Brosseau; nephews Michael Greenwood, David Gerou, Daniel Gerou; nieces Leslie Clair Wilson, Sheryl Gerou Morgan and Karen Brosseau LaVelle.
Funeral services by Frank Family Funeral Home, Hankinson, North Dakota.