Sister Aurelia Hanousek, OSF

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity recount Sister Aurelia Hanousek’s life on the 75th anniversary of her religious profession.

Hometown: Antigo, Wisconsin

On January 3, 1930, Emmalene Hanousek was born to John J. Hanousek and Emma Mattek Hanousek in Antigo, Wisconsin. Her siblings were Eunice, Margaret (Elaine), Joan, Mary, and John.

Our Franciscan Sisters were her teachers at St. John School in Antigo. In remembering her school days Sister Aurelia smiled and said, “The students had excellent teachers”.

Sister was received as a Novice on June 13, 1948. Among the members of her Reception group were Sister Clare Wegman, Sister Anna Tisler, Florence Piotrzkowski, Sister Francine Goodman and Sister Carol Stiefvater.

After her Novitiate and making her first vows, Sister Aurelia and three others from her class were sent to St. Therese School in Appleton. She reminisced saying: “Sister Julitta [Hennes], the principal, had to instruct us greenhorns in the fine art of education”. Sister Aurelia passed the greenhorn tests and went on to teach every grade and became a principal. One special place at which she ministered was St. Peter Indian School in Bapchule, Arizona. She commented that “the children were so precious”.

Other ministries she had were being a librarian and a Director of Religious Education until she retired at St. Francis Convent. Living with other retired Sisters, Sister Aurelia generously helped with many household tasks and enjoyed playing cards with others.

Presently Sister Aurelia is a resident in St. Rita Health Center at the Motherhouse. The nursing staff is caring and friendly. Sister Aurelia joins the other Sisters for rosary, Mass and meals each day. She is caring toward the other Sisters, wanting to offer her seat when someone needs one. She enjoys participating in some of the activities and exercises planned by the Activity Department. She speaks fondly of her father, saying he was a loving and hope-filled man.

At the time of her 60^th Jubilee, she was asked “Who is Jesus to you?” Her response was, “Jesus is our best friend, our mentor, our guide, our Savior, our eternal happiness”. For her 75^th Jubilee, when asked what religious life means to her now, she joyfully said, “It can’t get any better than that. I said ‘Yes’ to Jesus”!