Sr. Eligia Blaes

Sister Eligia Blaes, died at 3:15 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2003 , in the Catherine Kasper Home, Donaldson , Ind. , where she had been a resident since 1992. Sister Eligia was 100 years old on September 22, 2002. Sister Eligia was born in Mascoutah, IL., the daughter of Nicholas and Anatasia Doll Blaes. Sister Eligia served as a laundress at Catholic Central High School in Hammond , Ind. In 1925. She then became a homemaker for six years serving at St. Mary Convent in Carlyle , Il . And St. Mary Convent in Trenton , Il . From 1935 to 1951, Sister Eligia was a laundress at St. Mary Hospital in East St. Louis , IL . The next five years, she was a homemaker at St. Agnes Convent in Mishawaka , Ind. From 1956 to 1968, Sister was a laundry manager at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago , Il .. She then went to Fort Wayne and was laundry manager at St. Joseph Hospital for twelve years. The next twelve years she was a Patient Visitor and volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital . She left Fort Wayne in 1992 to retire at the Catherine Kasper Home. Sister Eligia earned a Podiatry Technician Certificate and she relieved many people of their aching feet. Sister Eligia’s joy was “snow-white linens” and her faithful employees. Sister Eligia is survived by many nieces and nephews. She was the last of her family of 6 brothers and 2 sisters. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2003 in the Catherine Kasper Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 in the Catherine Kasper Home. Father Donald Blaes, Sister Eligia’s nephew, and Father Ed Konerman will officiate.