Maria Josephine Hermeler was born in Horstel, Westfalen, Germany on February 24, 1904. Her parents Bernard and Josephine Achtermann Hermeler, had seven children, six girls and one boy. Their son, the second oldest, died at the age of seven months. Besides her brother, Antonius, two of her sisters preceded her in death, Sr. M. Notburga (Agnes) and Klara Postmeier. Sr. M. Aurea is survived by three sisters, Sr. M. Emanuela and Frau Bernardine Scheffer and Frau Theresia Schulte, both living in Germany.After the death of her father in 1914, Josephine, only 10 years old, began to help with the household duties. 

In 1921 Sr. M. Bernard traveled to Germany to recruit young women interested in religious life. Josephine did not want to go to America at that time, but her sister, Agnes, became one of the 22 who accompanied Sr. M. Bernard back to the U.S.A. Two years later, on another recruiting trip, Sr. M. Bernard personally visited the Hermeler home. Josephine had changed her mind, and she and her sister Anna Marie, were among the 12 young women who traveled to the convent in America where their sister was already a novice. Josephine and Anna entered the convent together on October 21, 1923. 

First Profession was February 13, 1926 and Perpetual vows on February 14 , 1931.We remember Sr. M. Aurea as a very stately lady with a radiant smile. In her long years in the Convent she helped in the Infirmary and most of us remember her as Sacristan of the Infirmary Chapel at Clyde for many years. Another special ministry of the altar was that of the Church Work Department. She is the last of the great line of stitchers that had the talent of doing the faces so beautifully on vestments. This art style was brought to this country by Mother M. Anselma and our founding sisters. Somehow with sister, we are laying to rest another chapter in our history. 

In November 1975, Sister became a resident of St. Benedict's Health Care Center in St. Louis, having lived at our Clyde monastery previously. In the years while her health was declining, she was blessed with the loving presence of her sister, Sr. M. Emanuela who has supported her in her illness and helped her prepare to meet her Lord in death.

 Our dear Sr. M. Aurea slipped away from us in the early morning hours, 12:40AM on November 24, 1987. Sr. Kristin, Sr. Joan and dear Sr. M. Emanuela were at her bedside when she very peacefully entered eternity. All day on Thanksgiving, her body lay in state in our prayer room, a reminder of what THANKSGIVING is all about. With Sr. M. Emanuela we now thank God for His gift to us who have shared the life and love of Sister M. Aurea.