Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Crescentia (Crescentia Anne Syndikus), CSC

Aug. 19, 1904 - Feb. 16, 2004

South Bend Tribune 2/18/2004

Sister M. Crescentia (Crescentia Anne Syndikus), CSC, 99, was born in Schweinheim, Bayern, Germany, to the late Alban Syndikus and Christina Kullmann Syndikus. Sister is survived by her nephews, Hans Peter Syndikus, Karl Schneider of Germany and Andreas Syndikus; and nieces, Maria Hein and Beatrix Syndikus of Germany; cousins, Sister M. Louis Gonzaga, Queen of Peace Convent, Saint Mary's. She is also survived by many friends in Germany and the USA.

Sister Crescentia received her early education from the Notre Dame Sisters in Schweinheim, Germany. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1922, made her first profession in 1925 and final profession in 1928. Trained as an elementary school teacher, Sister spent 50 years teaching in the Midwest, primarily in Indiana and a short time in Illinois. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1959. Sister gained her bachelor of science degree in education and her master's in sacred theology from Saint Mary's College.

She retired to Saint Mary's Convent in 1974, and acted as sacristan in the convent chapel and performed other convent duties. She was active in the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Wake service will be at 4 p.m. today, Feb. 18, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.