Sister Maria Ludgerie ND 5680 PDF Download
Gertrud KLÜMPER
Maria Regina Province, Coesfeld, Germany
Date and Place of Birth: 08 January 1940 Stadtlohn
Date and Place of Profession: 19 April 1966 Mülhausen
Date and Place of Death: 08 March 2025 Mülhausen, Haus Salus
Date and Place of Funeral: 13 March 2025 Mülhausen, Convent Cemetery
“From the mouth of children, you create praise for yourself, O Lord.” Psalm 8:3
On the morning of Sister M. Ludgerie’s death, we prayed the antiphon during Lauds: “From the mouth of children you create praise for yourself, O Lord.” This psalm verse has a connection to the life of Sr. M. Ludgerie, who dedicated herself to the education of children and young people during her long religious life.
Sr. M. Ludgerie, Gertrud Klümper, was born as the second youngest child to Ignaz and Elisabeth Klümper in Stadtlohn, in the Münsterland. She had 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Her eldest sister Maria, Sr. M. Hermengilde, also belonged to our community; she passed away in 2014.
Gertrud attended 8 years of elementary school in her home town and then went to a vocational school for home economics. She worked as a shop assistant from 1957. Sister said that her large family used to celebrate, always accompanied by music. She and her siblings were happy when her eldest sister entered the convent in 1945 because she had brought up the younger siblings quite strictly.
In May 1963, Gertrud followed her and entered in Mülhausen. At her investment in April 1964, she was given the name Sister Maria Ludgerie. When asked by her superiors where she could contribute to the religious community, she replied: “I would like to help educate poor children.”
In accordance with this wish, she received the appropriate training and further education, which she completed with very good results each time. As a result, she was able to take on the tasks of educator, group and home leader in various institutions in the province, such as in Aachen, Engers, Mülhausen and Kempen. She was also given the position of local superior. She carried out these tasks with joy, enthusiasm and determination, never sparing herself. In dealing with the children and young people entrusted to her, who came from difficult family backgrounds, she showed a great deal of understanding and empathy.
After retiring from teaching, she took on various domestic tasks in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Geldern.
Although her mental faculties began to decline in recent years, she contributed as much as she could and was keen to participate in community and prayer life.
When the Gelden affiliation was closed in 2023, she moved with the sisters to Haus Salus in Mülhausen. She felt at home here from the very beginning and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and nature.
As long as her physical strength allowed, she was helpful and attentive to the sisters. The last months were characterized by a frightening loss of strength, which meant that she was increasingly dependent on bed.
In the Gospel of the day of her death, Matthew is called by Jesus to follow him from the customs office; Sister Maria Ludgerie has now finally followed Jesus’ call.
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