Sister Gerard Wald

Sister Gerard Wald, 82, a member of Annunciation Monastery, Bismarck, entered eternal life on December 29, 2024.

A vigil service will be held Friday, January 3, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery.

The Mass of Christian Burial is Saturday, January 4 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. The funeral will be livestreamed.

Growing up on a farm near Napoleon, N.D., Sister Gerard (baptized Delores) was born December 15, 1942, the youngest of ten children of Stanislaus and Catherine (Bosch) Wald. She entered Annunciation Priory (Monastery) in 1962 and celebrated her 60th anniversary of monastic profession in 2024.

Energetic and dedicated to personal growth and learning as well as in enthusiastic and hospitable service to others, Sister Gerard earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mary College, a master’s degree in nursing from St. Louis University, a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary, and a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Her skills were expressed in a variety of positions in education and healthcare at CHI St. Alexius Health in the printing department, in nursing, in patient/family education, and then as a member of the Board.

Upon retirement from the University of Mary after 34 years of service, October 24, 2016 was proclaimed as “Sister Gerard Wald Day” in recognition of the many and varied ways Sister Gerard “lived with students in residence halls, served as an advisor, a greeter at liturgies, plays, concerts and special events, supported student athletes, and used her training as a nurse to care for those in need.” In her positive and enthusiastic presence to students, Sister Gerard was advisor for SPURS and led the university’s volunteer program for nearly 20 years. As coordinator of adult outreach, Sister Gerard worked with the adult learner, transfer students and students who needed support to adjust to university life. Supportive of church ministries, Sister Gerard was active in the Saint Serra Vocations Apostolate. Most recently she faithfully served her sisters as nurse in monastery health care.

Sister Gerard was always up for anything. She loved activities with students, friends, and the monastic community. Her cherished time with family brought enrichment to her life. Their recent celebration of her 60th anniversary of being a sister at a family reunion gave her joy for months after the celebration.

Sister Gerard was preceded in death by her parents and siblings—Margaret (Frank) Fettig, Julia (Anton) Meier, Barbara (Ramey) Duchscherer, Joseph, Regina (Vincent) Schmidt, Katherine, Aloysius, Frank and Andrew as well as by nephews and nieces.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Virginia Wald, numerous nieces and nephews and the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.