Teresa Kreikemeier was born on a farm at Monterey, Nebraska, on Jan. 20, 1885. Both parents were from Germany. Teresa was one of nine children, two of whom, besides herself, shared our Benedictine Eucharistic vocation: Sisters M. Immaculata and Antoinette. Sister entered on Aug. 28, 1904, was invested on Feb. 21, 1905 and made her religious profession on March 10, 1906. Because of a serious speech impediment she did not make final vows, but became an Oblate, with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament as her great love and joy throughout her religious life.

Though most of Sister's work during her active years was in the Clyde book-bindery, she was ever ready to help out elsewhere, and for a time one of her regular tasks was to drive the horse-drawn milk wagon from the barn to the kitchen, helping to carry the heavy milk cans up the kitchen steps to the cooler.

Sister did beautiful work in the book-bindery, sparing no pains, whether repairing missals, library or Office books, or binding new ones. At the time we assumed the Monastic Office, Sister M. Armella, assisted by Sister M Donata, her regular helper, bound the heavy books, a colossal task, involving hundreds of breviaries, antiphonals and psalteriums. Perhaps not many realized the hard, heavy work which Sister did so silently and steadily for years.

When, in 1957, the book-bindery was transferred to our Kansas City priory, Sister M. Armella became a fervent, sacrificial member of that community for thirteen years. Her fidelity in helping with dish-washing, canning, and coming to recreation and other community activities, was constant. Her kind-heartedness and joyful spirit, her simplicity and humility were valuable contributions to community life. After the book-bindery was permanently  closed, Sister helped with altar breads, did sewing and helped in the Kansas City infirmary. When no longer able to kneel at the predieu for adoration, Sister would go to the chapel in a wheelchair, walk up the aisle with a cane and sit in the sanctuary, near the one who had the official hour. Her longing for heaven was often expressed in the prayer: "Jesus, come and get me soon," or "Blessed Mother, come with Jesus and get me."

In her last years Sister suffered memory loss. In September, 1970 Sister was brought to the Clyde infirmary, where she felt keenly not being able to go to adoration in the sanctuary. Sister's health failed steadily, and she suffered frequent sinking spells. She died peacefully in the early morning of October 20, 1971, having had the consolation of receiving the Precious Blood earlier in the morning. (Sister was eighty-six years of age. All her life Sister bore patiently the crosses and sufferings which were not spared her. Shortly before dying she was heard to say three times: "Himmelreich" (kingdom of heaven.)