RAPID CITY - Sister Georgine Essert died Sunday, July 24, 2011, at St. Martin Monastery after a short illness. She was born Agnes Irene on Jan. 2, 1936, in Buckeye, Ariz., to George Frank and Mary (Landolf) Essert. She graduated from Lemmon High School in1953. She entered St. Martin Monastery in 1955 and made her first profession as a Benedictine Sister on July 17, 1957. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Black Hills State College in 1972. She worked as a physical therapist aide at St. John's and Regional Hospital. After finishing LPN School, Sister Georgine worked in nursing homes and home health in Aberdeen, Seattle and Mount Angel, Ore. Sister Georgine's passions were nature, the environment, and peace and justice. She belonged to the Audubon Society and the Peace and Justice group in Rapid City. She recycled everything she could. She spent a month in Nicaragua, with Peace and Justice. She demonstrated against war and the submarines in Bangor, Wash., and at the School of the Americas. She worked on a Mercy Ship that would bring relief supplies to people in Africa. She took care of the birds when she could no longer go bird watching. She supplied the community with fresh popcorn every Sunday. Sister Georgine was gracious to everyone who came to see her and was accepting of her illness. Survivors include her Benedictine community; her sister, Dot (Lee) Braun, Newell; two brothers, Joe (Dee) Essert, Anchorage, Alaska, and Victor Essert, Dordogne, France; and her devoted niece, Vicki Sticka, Escondito, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, George Essert, San Diego. There will be a viewing at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at St. Martin Monastery, with a 6 p.m. vigil service in the Monastery Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday, July 29, in the Monastery Chapel with the Rev. Steven Biegler presiding. Sister Georgine will be buried in the monastery cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to your local Peace and Justice group or the St. Martin Monastery.