Born in Essen, Germany on Oct. 3, 1889, Anna Wilhelmina Volkwein was reared in the warmth of a family circle of nine children. Her father, a Lutheran, was loving and considerate and permitted the children to be raised in their mother's Faith. Occasionally he attended Mass with the family, as on the First Communion days of the children.

When Anna was twenty-one, her great-uncle Richard Brockman came from America for a visit, in the hope that some relative would return to Iowa with him to keep him and his wife company, as they were childless. Anna was chosen, but neither she nor her family could have surmised that they would never see her again. During her stay in Iowa, a visit was arranged with Sister M. Magdalen Brockman at Clyde. Anna was so impressed with the surroundings that she wanted to remain right then and there and not bother to return to Iowa to pick up the few belongings she had left behind. However, her aunt and uncle prevailed upon her to return with them, but it was evident that she had left her heart at Clyde.

On Jan. 13, 1913, Anna attained her heart's desire when she entered Clyde as a postulant. Her mother in Germany was happy to learn of her daughter's decision. Investment with the holy habit followed on July 15th, and on August 5,  1914 Anna pronounced her temporary vows as Sister M. Ferdinanda. She finalized her self-gift on March 5, 1921 by perpetual vows.

Sister's assignment of work was chiefly in the bookbindery, where she excelled in binding new books and in making old books look like new. She had a pleasing voice and loved to sing. She was ever a faithful adorer, and also loved the Divine Office, following it faithfully in all its stages of development through the years. The sparkle in her eyes, her enchanting smile and her gentle, gracious manner endeared her to all.

In June, 1928 Sister became one of the pioneer members of the Mundelein community, and faithfully fulfilled the duties of sacristan for many years. She also helped in the Altar Bread department and kept the Sister's choir books in good repair. As the years passed, her health declined, to the extent that in April, 1973 it was thought well to transfer her to St. Mary's Infirmary at Clyde. 

As the result of a fall in 1974, Sister became bedfast and needed total care. In November, 1974, she took up residence at the motherhouse in St. Louis when the central infirmary was transferred there. During the remaining months of her life her health and strength declined steadily.  

Again and again the superiors and other Sisters gathered around her, thinking the end was imminent; but God had chosen His own time to call His loved one home. This call came early in the morning of June 22, 1976, when she peacefully yielded her soul to God. Very Rev. Father Edwin, O.S.B., Prior of Pevely, offered the Resurrection Mass for her at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, and her remains were taken to Clyde on the following morning for burial. As they laid her to rest in Mt. Calvary cemetery, the warm sunshine and quiet countryside seemed to symbolize the love, peace and joy Sister had radiated during her life. Having reached the ripe age of eighty-seven, she was laden with the sheaves of her Silver, Golden and Diamond decades and of her Virginal Consecration in 1953.