Jude Highberger

December 4, 1932 - January 10, 2021

Jude Franklin Delano Highberger, 88, died at home January 10, 2021, in Topeka, Kansas. Jude was born to Paul N. and Lydia Gifford Highberger on December 4, 1932, in Westphalia, Kansas, and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Jude entered St. Benedict Abbey. Atchison, Kansas, in 1956. He was involved in pastoral ministry throughout his life. He taught and coached at Maur Hill-Mount St. Scholastica Prep School in Atchison from 1960-1975, served as a missionary in Brazil from 1975-1978, and was campus minister at Benedictine College from 1978-1984. Jude attended Sacred Heart Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was ordained in 1988, serving parishes in Kansas City until 1992, when he began his chaplaincy ministry in hospital, hospice, and nursing facilities in Topeka. Jude married Sharon Montgomery Ries at St. Mary’s Church, St. Benedict, Kansas, in May 1998; she survives. He is also survived by stepchildren, Janene Falley and Eric Ries; step-granddaughters, Jossie, Cadance and Michaela; and multiple beloved Highberger nieces and nephews in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Jude was preceded in death by five siblings. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Cathedral’s Saturday Lunch Ministry or Mount St. Scholastica Monastery in Atchison, where Jude was an active oblate, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Due to the pandemic, there will be no service at this time. His graveside service will be later in the spring. For Jude’s full obituary, please visit www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.