Marguerite J. Judge

Marguerite Jeanne “Meg” Judge, passed away on June 7, 2023, in Cannon Falls, MN at the age of 98.  Her last weeks she was surrounded by her family and many dear friends. Remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, trusted friend for school children, beloved storyteller, and for her joyous laughter and kind, loving smile for everyone.

Marguerite was born October 18, 1924, in Red Wing, MN, the daughter of Henry S. and Regina (Kelly) Swenson. She graduated from Goodhue High School in 1942. She married Jerome F. Judge on October 4, 1957, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Goodhue, MN.

A graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing, Marguerite took graduate courses in surgery from St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester and St. Teresa’s College in Winona. She earned her bachelor’s in nursing education from the University of Minnesota and master’s in counseling from Mankato State University. She was employed as a nursing instructor in the School of Practical Nursing in Red Wing, a Mayo Clinic staff nurse, an operation room head nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, and an obstetrics supervisor at Mercy Hospital in Portsmouth, Ohio. When Cannon Falls Hospital was built, Marguerite was the first nursing supervisor and later served as the director of nursing. She became the first school nurse for Cannon Falls Schools, serving for 24 years, retiring in 1986.

Prior to her marriage, she was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, and later became a Cojourner of the Sisters of St. Francis in Rochester, and a member of the Lay Carmelites. Over her many years, Marguerite was involved civically with the following organizations: St. Pius V Catholic Church where she served as a trustee, American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries, and the Cannon Falls Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the boards of the March of Dimes, Cannon Falls Hospital, and was active with Goodhue County and the City of Goodhue Historical Societies.

After Marguerite retired, she graduated from the School of Sacred Storytelling in Jemez Springs, New Mexico, becoming a Master Storyteller on June 28, 1996. In later years, Meg enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe to learn about the cultural and spiritual stories from other cultures that taught diversity, non-violence, and reverence for the Creator and all creation.

She is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Judge Keane (Richard) and Jo Anne Judge-Dietz (Christopher), of Pine Island; son Jeffrey (Jeannie Bross-Judge) of Minnetonka; six grandchildren, Gillian Keane, Riley (Stephny) Keane, Meredith (Cody) Akason, and Nico, Dan, and Clare Judge; four great-grandchildren, Liam, Quinn, and Kellan Sauer, and Elliott Jo Akason; cousin Meredith Wilson Fleming of South St. Paul; many nieces and nephews, and Howard Hunt. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerome; brothers John, David, and sister, Eunice Bergren, and special friend Norris Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 12 at 9:30 am at St. Pius V Catholic Church, 410 Colvill St. W., Cannon Falls, MN 55009 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. This mass will be livestreamed and available to watch below.

In lieu of flowers, please donate a coat to a child, or make a donation to the Cannon Falls Library (https://cannonfalls.lib.mn.us/) or the Goodhue County Historical Society (https://goodhuecountyhistory.org/).

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION:  For those who would like to participate in Marguerite's mass via livestream, you can watch the service on Monday, June 12 at 11:00 am.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and click to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.