After 54 years of ministering in food service, cooking, baking and supervising, Sister Teresa Schleper, PHJC, passed with peace and grace on Nov. 11, 2015, in the Catherine Kasper Home in Donaldson. “God is GOOD. Prayer is powerful and I am grateful to God for my family and the Poor Handmaids and for so many blessings,” wrote Sister Teresa on her 60th jubilee as a Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ.

Sister Teresa is survived by one sister: Sister Georgine Schleper, PHJC, one brother: Albert Schleper; a niece: Sister Loretta Schleper, PHJC; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters: Anthony (Josie) Schleper; Bernadine (Oliver) Emig; Josephine (Ed) Rehkemper; Alphonse (Evelyn) Schleper; Christine (Arnold) Hilmes; Herman Schleper; and George Schleper.

Sister Teresa was born in Trenton, Ill. to Henry and Catherine (Rakers) Schleper the seventh child in a family of 10 children. She attended first to third grades in a small country school and the next four years at St. Mary’s School in Trenton, Ill. She entered the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ Community as a postulant on June 25, 1946. She professed her first vows on June 25, 1948. Sister Teresa ministered primarily in food service, cooking, baking and supervising. She ministered in Indiana at St. Catherine Hospital East Chicago, St. Vincent Villa Fort Wayne, St. Patrick Convent Arcola, Convent Ancilla Domini in Donaldson, and Bishop Dwenger in Fort Wayne. In Illinois she ministered at St. Elizabeth Hospital and St. Anne’s Hospital in Chicago.

Sister Teresa officially retired to the Catherine Kasper Home in 2002. She enjoyed working on sewing projects and quilts in the sewing room at Catherine Kasper Home and was known especially for her aroma therapy heating pads. Sister will be remembered for providing thank you baskets for individuals who were generous with their time and talents. Sister Teresa brought much joy with her positive and loving attitude to all who lived and ministered at Catherine Kasper Home.

Visitation will be held from 4:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel. A prayer service will be held the same evening 7 p.m. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in the Catherine Kasper Home Chapel at 11:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Donaldson.