Students and teachers at St. Matthew’s Catholic School rose for a standing ovation as Gov. Greg Gianforte bestowed Sister Judy Lund with the Spirit of Montana award on Wednesday morning.  

Gianforte created the award when he first came into office to recognize Montanans for their accomplishments, dedication or service to the community. Fellow Montanans may nominate a community member who they feel deserves this special recognition. 

“For more than seven decades, you have lived out a true vocation,” said Gianforte as he called Lund up to receive the award on May 20. “What was meant to be a short stay here in the Flathead Valley became a lifetime of service. You came to help for a season, and, through God’s plan, you never left.” 

Lund, 90, is retiring from a teaching career spanning seven decades, three of which were spent at the Catholic school in downtown Kalispell, and returning home to Wisconsin in August. Flathead County's last Dominican nun came to the valley in the summer of 1992 to visit friends of hers, fellow sisters who also taught at the school, and was invited to teach third grade for a year.  

She never left. 

“I stayed, and stayed, and stayed, and stayed,” Lund said after the ceremony, laughing. 

It still hasn’t hit her that she’s retiring, but Lund said she knows it’s the right choice. Her train ride home will be spent reflecting on the memories and friends she made in the valley. 

“I’ll carry you all in my heart,” Lund said, “to Wisconsin.” 

Her impact on the Flathead community is generational and widespread. Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Marygrace Knuffke, donning her crown and sash, wiped tears from her eyes as she watched her former schoolteacher receive the award.  

Lund was one of her biggest supporters during her campaign for Miss Montana, Knuffke said after the ceremony, and shaped her into the woman she is today.  

“She commented on every one of my Facebook posts,” Knuffke said. “It means a lot to me how much effort she’s put in to keeping in touch, and just reminding me to be a bright light in people’s lives.” 

For Lund, the award came as a complete surprise. She originally thought the governor was going to bestow an honor to the school, or something of the sort.  

“I wasn’t prepared at all, but that’s that principle of ours,” Lund said. “She said, ‘Oh, I finally got something over her.’” 

During her impromptu speech at the ceremony, Lund repeated something she told a group Catholic girls during a tea party the previous day: always make decisions for yourself, and no one else.  

“Make choices. Make good choices,” she said. “Look for the opportunities in the choices, and then decide, with the Lord, what’s the best for me?” 

Report for America Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 406-758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

    Sister Judy Lund receives the Spirit of Montana Award from Gov. Greg Gianforte and his wife Susan at St. Matthew's Catholic School in Kalispell on Wednesday, May 20. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Sister Judy Lund smiles after receiving the Spirit of Montana Award from Gov. Greg Gianforte at St. Matthew's Catholic School in Kalispell on Wednesday, May 20. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider