ALTON — Sister Gertrude Becker, OSU, also known as Helen Gansforth Becker, died Nov. 13 at the Ursulines’ Queen of Peace health care center in Alton. She was 102, and her decades of service included many years in Springfield.

The daughter of Henry Gansforth and Gertrude Pfeifer, she was born Dec. 31, 1910, in St. Paul, Minn. She is preceded in death by a sister, Anna Marie Catherine Becker, known as Sister Andre Becker, OSU, and a brother, Anthony.

Sister Gertrude received a bachelor of science degree from Fontbonne University in St. Louis and a master of business administration degree in economics from DePaul University in Chicago. She entered the Ursuline Novitiate in Alton in July 1933 and made her religious vows in 1936.

She taught at the former Ursuline Academy in Springfield from 1943 to 1946 and from 1947 to 1955. From 1946 to 1947, she taught at Blessed Sacrament School in Springfield. She also was treasurer of the former Springfield Junior College from 1950 to 1954.

Service also took Sister Gertrude to Alton; Kirkwood, Mo.; Texarkana, Texas; Boulder, Colo.; and Thibodaux and New Orleans.  Besides teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, she served the Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province as provincial secretary and treasurer, playing a major part in introducing computerized accounting in the province.  She also did parish work in adult education and volunteer work for the Louisiana State Museum and the New Orleans Symphony.  

A memorial Mass was celebrated Nov. 19 at the Ursuline Convent Chapel in Alton.  Burial was in Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province, 353 S. Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63122.