Ann Felauer - Class of 1985

This month, we’re proud to feature Ann Felauer, a 1985 graduate who fondly remembers her mentors who shaped her high school experience. Today, she is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specializing in pediatric palliative care and a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Her unique path—from animal science to nursing—has equipped her with valuable insights she now shares with both patients and future healthcare professionals.

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Ann Felauer - Fox Tales Q&A

What is your most memorable high school experience? 

Being a part of band, pep band, and the summers marching in the parades as part of Fox River Valley Lutheran Youth Band (pre-Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin). I hear the song "Baker Street" or "Africa" by Toto and immediately am taken back to wonderful memories from band. Thank you Mr. Wendland.

Who had the greatest influence on you at FVL? 

It is hard to pick one person. Mr. Payne when I worked on the newspaper, Mr. Strusz for putting up with antics in our class (I think it was algebra), or Mr. Unke for having to deal with the not-so-smart in Geometry B. Overall, I would have to say, it would be our Vice-Principal, Mr. Kaniess. He was kind, but stern, funny (sometimes) but also held everyone to the same standard. I really appreciated that he taught us valuable life skills that we could use. 

What are you doing now professionally and how did you get into this career path?

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, working in Pediatric Palliative care, long journey, went to school for pre-vet/animal science but first love was always nursing so went back to school to be a nurse. Experiences I had growing up on the farm and working in Animal/Food science gave me insights into pathophysiology that I was able to translate into my nursing knowledge. Seeing internal organs (heart, liver, lungs) or even some disease states (tumors, infections) up close helped me to translate information to my patients/families in ways they could understand. I knew I wanted to be a Nurse Practitioner even when I graduated as a Registered Nurse. I am now Faculty at University of Maryland School of Nursing, since 2014, teaching Pediatric Nurse practitioner students who want to work in primary care or specialize and work in the inpatient setting or specialty setting. 

What was your first job? 

After graduating from University of Wisconsin River Falls, my first job was working at Patrick Cudahy in Milwaukee, WI as a food inspector, inspecting raw meat as well as finished products like ham, bacon, pepperoni, and braunschweiger.

What is one thing most people don’t know about you?

I refuse to eat certain foods after working at Patrick Cudahy, but I will not tell anyone because I would have to divulge company recipes. 

What is something valuable you learned during your career?

Life happens and will continue to happen regardless of what you want. No matter what you have planned, that curveball comes along and you can only reach out to others and ask for grace. 

What’s one lesson from your high school years that still sticks with you? 

Writing skills that I learned from Mrs. Sackenheim in Honors English. I use them often if it is serving as an manuscript reviewer/editor, faculty for my students working on their Doctoral projects, or writing up research proposals. She was quirky at times, but taught me valuable lessons. Do not end a sentence with a preposition! 

Anything else you would like to share with the FVL community? 

I have found that as I have moved outside of WI, I can always find a home within a WELS church, unfortunately in MD, they are few/far between. But I want to encourage the FVL community to be open to the stranger who comes into your community. They may be different from you, it might be an accent, hair color, or style of dress. Reach out to them, explore who they are, they may be a WELS member in hiding and not even know it. Accept the benefits and gifts they may bring you in friendship and love. And most importantly, give grace to others, as I mentioned life happens and if something can go wrong it will. Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged". You never know, they could have lost a loved one today.