Karoline Zeller was born in Germany and came to Clyde in 1923 with the second group of postulants brought from Europe by Sister M. Bernard. She entered Oct. 21, 1923, was invested Aug. 30, 1924 and made profession as Sister M. Bona Feb. 13, 1926. Perpetual vows were made on Feb. 14, 1931, and she received Consecration of Virgins at Mundelein in 1953.

Sister was always happy and optimistic. She was a quiet, prayerful person, kind and thoughtful of others, and a willing, hard worker, accomplishing much in a quiet, unobtrusive way. All but seven of her 44 years in the convent were spent at Mundelein, where she was a great help in the kitchen and with canning, and a very dependable worker in the altar bread department. She was also a good seamstress and helped in the sewing room, especially after her feet began bothering her. Sister was always zealous for holy adoration and the Divine Office, and enhanced the singing with her melodious voice.

Sister’s health gradually declined at Mundelein and when her condition became critical she was brought home to the Clyde infirmary for the few remaining weeks of her life. She was a patient sufferer, thoughtful and appreciative of every little service, and was especially grateful to be reunited with her own sister Sister M. Hilaria, who spent much time at her bedside. One day she took Sister's hand, looked earnestly into her eyes and said: "Sister, the most perfect way of the religious life is to do the will of God and the will of the Superiors, and to be perfectly resigned to God's holy will." She longed to die and be with God, and after much suffering passed away peacefully on Nov. 5, 1967, just as Sr. M. Hilaria prayed with her: "Jesus, come and take me to heaven" - a prayer repeated often during her illness. She was sixty-one years old. Her funeral - the second one according to the new rite - was joyful and triumphant, with Easter Alleluias, the Paschal candle, white vestments and flowers. Mr. Johnson, the undertaker, said that hers was the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Doubtless it matched the beauty of her soul, of which God was the only witness.