Sister M. Claudia Klesel

  • Sister M. Claudia Klesel
    Sister M. Claudia Klesel

    Sister M. Claudia Klesel, 97, passed away on May 27, 2023.
    She was born on March 11, 1926, in Schulenburg, to the late Edmund and Annie (Till) Klesel.
    She was blessed with six sisters and four brothers, one of whom was her twin. Sister Claudia received her elementary education at St. Edward School in Dubina and graduated from Nazareth Academy.
    She entered Nazareth Convent and became a Novice of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Sept. 1, 1946, and professed her first vows on Sept. 2, 1947. She received a BS Degree with a major in elementary education and a minor in social science from Incarnate Word College in San Antonio.
    During her 75 years as a professed member of the congregation, Sister Claudia taught on the elementary level and served as a CCD teacher.
    Her teaching experiences took her to Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Selma, St. Michael School in Weimar, Holy Cross School in Bay City, Sacred Heart School in La Grange, Immaculate Conception School in Sealy, St. Leo School in San Antonio, Sacred Heart School in Floresville, St. Edward School in Dubina, Sacred Heart School in Hallettsville, Nazareth Academy in Victoria, Sacred Heart School in Crosby, and St. Ludmila Academy in Shiner.
    Sister Claudia served as a receptionist, secretary, and office manager at Blessed Sacrament Academy in San Antonio before retiring to Incarnate Word Convent in 2012.
    For the last years, Sister was residing in Incarnate Word Convent HealthCare where she generously continued sharing her gifts as she entered into her apostolate of Prayer and Suffering. Her cell phone became one of her good friends as she enjoyed keeping in touch with family and friends.
    She spent her days in prayer time, visiting, and listening to recorded books.
    Sister Claudia was preceded in death by her parents;  and her brothers and their wives; Alfonse (Margaret), Hugo (Alice), her twin Henry (Virginia), and Edmund Jr. (Dolores) and her sisters; Hedwig Berger (Frank), Mary Berger (Alfonse), Dorothy Janacek (William), Gertrude Ohnheiser (Paul), Erna Respondek (Vincent), and Edna Bludau (Bernard).
    Sister Claudia is survived by many nieces including Sister Mary Jean Bludau, IWBS, nephews, relatives and friends.
    On Friday, June 2, the Mass of Christian Burial was held at Incarnate Word Convent. Burial will follow at Catholic Cemetery No. 3.
    Memorial donations may be made to Incarnate Word Convent, Blessed Sacrament Academy, Nazareth Academy, Hospice of South Texas or donor’s choice.