108-year-old religious sister to celebrate jubilee

Jul 12, 2007 / 09:11 am

A 108-year-old sister is preparing to celebrate her 90th anniversary of religious life this month.

Sr. Claude Feldner of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes will join 45 other sisters on July 15 as they celebrate their jubilee anniversaries at Holy Family Sacred Heart Church in Fond du Lac.

Sr. Feldner told The Fond du Lac Reporter that she is living this time as one of gratitude and surprise.

"They didn't think I would live this long," she told the newspaper. "I was threatened with tuberculosis as a young woman and was sent to Kansas to heal. At that time, they thought a dryer climate would help a person. It must have worked because here I am at 108 years old ready to enjoy a party."

Sr. Feldner made her first profession in 1917. Over the years, she taught music in grade schools and college. She continues to play the piano almost daily. She served for many years as a formator for the congregation, preparing young women for religious life.

The congregation serves in the fields of education, health care, social work and pastoral ministry in the United States and Latin America.