Veronica Eikelmann was born on a farm near St. Helena, Nebraska on June 27, 1870. Both parents were from Westphalia, Germany. Veronica was the second oldest of the five Eikelmann sisters who joined our Congregation.* She entered at Clyde on March 24, 1889, and was invested the following May 3rd. On May 3, 1890 she was professed as Sister M. Bonaventure, and made perpetual vows on June 28, 1897. She was privileged to celebrate both her Golden and Diamond Jubilees and to receive the Consecration of Virgins on November 16, 1952.

Sister had a cheerful, lovable disposition. As a pioneer member of the Congregation, she knew poverty and hard work, and made many trips soliciting funds for the necessaries of life. Three outstanding characteristics were: her child-like simplicity, her ready obedience and her thoughtfulness of others.

Sister was Prefectress of the Academy for many years and was dearly loved by the girls, who vied with each other for the privilege of accompanying her to night adoration. She did much to promote vocations during this time. She was also a very efficient and solicitous infirmarian for some years.

In 1933 Sister became one of the pillars at Mundelein, where she was procuratrix and had charge of the vestry. Here again she was outstanding in her motherly concern for the Sisters' needs; likewise in her zeal for adoration. She had a beautiful voice and contributed much to the choral singing. Even when far advanced in years she would sing favorite German hymns, and especially loved to sing the Salve Regina in Latin, adding the versicle and oration, all without a flaw.

Sister maintained a great sense of humor all her life. One time when up in years she sent a note to the novitiate from the infirmary asking if she could borrow their new saucer-sled, as she was tired of her wheel-chair. In 1957 she was transferred to the Kansas City convent where she spent five happy years, faithfully attended by Sister M. Alphonsa, who was also a patient. She helped sort altar breads, and sewed patch-work quilts with Sister's help. She spent much time in the balcony above the adoration chapel, both in private prayer and assisting at Vespers and Benediction. Mother M. Carmelita Quinn was Prioress General and Sister M. Eulalia Wagner local Superior at Kansas City during that period, both of whom had attended St. Joseph's Academy during years Sister M. Bonaventure was prefectress, yet she was humble and submissive, doing nothing without their knowledge or permission.

As Sister's health declined steadily with increasing age, she was taken back to Clyde. Her wheelchair became her prie-dieu, where she daily kept her hour of adoration and also prayed the Stations. Death came to her on February 12, 1963, in the 93rd year of her life and the 73rd of her religious profession.

* The other four sisters were Sisters M. Cunegunda, Antonia, Salome and Columba.