February 19, 1926 – May 22, 2026
Sr. Friedmunda was born on February 19, 1926, in Wäldershub, Germany, as the eldest of seven children. From the age of 7 to 14, she attended elementary school, followed by six months at a vocational school. Until she was 22, she helped with her parents’ household or worked for other relatives.
At age 13, Sr. Friedmunda fell seriously ill and was cared for by a Protestant nurse. This sparked in her the desire to become a nurse so she could help sick people.
At age 22, while praying before the cross in her room, Sr. Friedmunda felt God’s call. She felt called to follow Jesus and enter a religious order. It was so powerful that Sr. Friedmunda was absolutely certain that God would lead her to the place where He wanted her to be.
On December 13, 1948, Sr. Friedmunda entered our community in Abenberg. On August 12, 1949, she received the veil and the name Sr. M. Friedmunda of the Holy Cross. She spent the first year of her novitiate in Abenberg and the second year as an assistant at the Schwabach Hospital.
On August 12, 1951, she made her first profession in Abenberg. She completed a two-year nursing course at the Abenberg Hospital. She enjoyed the course very much and would have liked to learn even more.
From 1953 to 1955, she worked as an ambulant nurse at the Friesen branch.
On August 12, 1956, she professd her perpetual vows in Vienna. On August 11, 1976, she celebrated her 25th anniversary of profession in Vienna; on September 16, 2001, her golden jubilee of profession; and on September 18, 2011, her diamond jubilee of profession in Bruck an der Leitha.
In March 1955, Sr. Friedmunda joined the Austrian Province – in Wilhelmsburg. There she worked as a nurse in outpatient care and also served as sacristan.
When the branch in Wilhelmsburg closed in 1979, her path led her to Bruck an der Leitha, to the Marienheim. For 18 years, she was responsible for the care and support of the residents on the first floor.
A major turning point was a bicycle accident in the fall of 2014, in which she broke her left ankle. With her tireless determination, iron discipline, and great patience, Sr. Friedmunda learned to walk again in small steps and was able to walk without a walker two years after the accident.
However, other health issues arose, so that on September 24, 2018 – following a hospital stay – Sr. Friedmunda transitioned to nursing care on the first floor of the Marienheim, a place she was already very familiar with from her many years of service on the other side of the facility.
Her basic attitude throughout her life was: accept whatever comes, because God guides wisely. A saying of St. Augustine accompanied her: “From God’s hand I received my life, under God’s hand I shaped my life, into God’s hand I return my life.”
Her life motto was: To be aware of God’s presence and thereby serve others. On my own, I can do nothing at all.
Her favorite Bible passage was: “God, you know everything; you know that I love you.” (John 21) The values that shaped and sustained her life were simplicity, contentment, a sense of community, dialogue, the ability to accept and let go, a great easiness, and a deep gratitude for every little thing – especially in her final years. She loved nature in all its beauty and took great joy in singing. She would often say, “We often forget the beautiful things when we’re going through difficult times.” What mattered most to her was the joy of life, setting a good example, and constant effort.
When asked what she would like to do again, she replied: “Enter a convent and learn something – get an education; I was so eager to learn. I envied everyone who went to school. I also wanted to learn a musical instrument and loved to sing. It just wasn’t possible for me. My sister, who is three years younger than me, learned to play the harmonium and played the small organ in church, and I was allowed to turn the pages.
When I entered the convent, I thought I was in heaven. Later, I realized other things as well. I really wanted to complete my nursing training, but I wasn’t allowed to. Originally, I was supposed to become a needlework teacher, but then Sr. Editha said, ‘She needs to be among people.’ – And she was absolutely right.”
Sr. Friedmunda was not afraid of dying because she knew where she was going and what her goal was.
On the morning of May 22, 2026, in her 101st year, she returned home to her Creator, and on June 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., her delicate, fragile mortal body was laid to rest at the municipal cemetery in Bruck / Leitha.
The name Sr. Friedmunda contains the word “peace,” and she truly radiated that peace! May she now enjoy heavenly peace, which she so deeply longed for in her final years.
Submitted by Sr. Gudrun Schellner