Sister Grace Ann Feldbruegge

Sister Grace Ann Feldbruegge, CSA, baptized Joanne, died peacefully February 18, 2023, at St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Joanne was born February 27, 1942, in Waunakee, Wisconsin, the youngest of seven children of Herman B. Feldbruegge and Grace M. Olson Feldbruegge.  Joanne attended St. John’s Elementary School in Waunakee, staffed by the Sisters of St. Agnes. After graduation from Waunakee Public High School in 1960, she chose to enter St. Agnes Convent. She made her first profession of vows in the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes as Sister Grace Ann on August 15, 1963, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Over her years in ministry, Sister Grace Ann earned a BS in Elementary Education in 1964 from Marian College, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, an MS in Education with a concentration in reading from St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in 1974, and a Masters in Ministry in 1984 from Seattle University, Seattle, Washington. Her commitment to the mission of the Sisters of St. Agnes and her professional studies enabled her to serve in a variety of roles as a teacher, a caseworker, a chaplain and, in her later years, as a CSA finance office clerk.

Sister Grace Ann taught for nineteen years (1964-1983) in elementary schools in Kansas, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. In 1983, Sister moved to Mobile, Alabama, where she served as a caseworker at the Service Center of Catholic Services in Mobile for five years, (1983-1987) offering advocacy and assistance to many disadvantaged individuals and families. In 1987, she returned to the classroom, teaching for five years at St. Pius X School in Mobile.  She then accepted the position of chaplain at Providence Hospital in Mobile providing pastoral care and presence for seven years (1992-1999). While serving in these various roles, Sister Grace Ann also enjoyed the community life experiences she shared with other CSA sisters living and ministering in the Mobile area.

Following a time of sabbatical, Sister Grace Ann returned to Fond du Lac in 2002, living at the CSA Motherhouse and serving as a clerk in the congregation’s finance office.  Sister joined the community of sisters living at Nazareth Court and Center in January 2013, again offering assistance with financial matters. With her health becoming more frail, Sister Grace Ann moved to St. Francis Home in 2016.  She remained interested in and involved in CSA community life and activities as much as she was able until close to the time of her death.

Sister Grace Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Grace; her stepmother, Evie; her brothers, Gerald, Dennis, Duane, and Robert; her sisters, Betty (Kenneth) Sallee and Sarah Krenzien; her stepbrother, Alan Seymour.

Sister is survived by her sister-in-law, Carol Feldbruegge; her two stepsisters, Elizabeth Seymour and Susan (Chuck) Swanson; her stepsister-in-law, Diane Seymour; several nieces and nephews and their families; her beloved cousin, Susan Rank, and the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., at Nazareth Court and Center, 375 Gillett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. 

A Prayer Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on February 28, 2023, in Nazareth Center Chapel. Please check in for the Visitation and Prayer Service at the 375 Gillett Street entrance only.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Sister Grace Ann at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Father James Leary, OFM Cap., presiding. Burial will be at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the CSA Mission Advancement Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center, St. Francis Home, and Hospice Hope for their loving care of Sister Grace Ann.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes.