Elsa Schlitter, the fourth in a family of eight children, was born to Karl Friedrich Schlitter and Elizabeth (Hage) Schlitter, at Bilfingen, Amt. Pforzheim, Baden, Germany, July 26, 1901. Elsa’s uncle, a newly ordained priest, was always proud that his own niece was the first one he baptized. Elsa told of growing up in the family home and helping their mother both in the home and in the field, while their father worked in a goldsmith factory. He was also city-treasurer of Bilfingen and an excellent musician with a beautiful singing voice who directed a concert for ten years. Elsa said that they never heard their parents arguing together, although she was aware that their lives were not without many trials.

Elsa completed eight years of grammar school in her home town, during which time she and her sisters went to the home of their teacher every Friday after school hours to clean house. With their earnings they helped their parents purchase the needed clothing and books for school. After 8th grade, everyone was expected to choose a trade, and for three years this trade was studied and worked at without pay. After the three years, if the examination was passed, they earned wages and were able to assist the family financially. Elsa’s trade was in the same factory where her father was employed. During the war the factory had to produce ammunition, working day and night shifts, and many times their lives were in danger.

At age 21 it was time for Elsa to choose her vocation in life. She had always said that she wanted to be a religious, but she knew this was not possible in Germany because the communities required large dowries and her family could not afford this. Elsa feared that there was little hope of realizing her desire in life when, as she commented, "divine providence" intervened.

Sr. M. Bernard Willman from Clyde, Missouri, came to Europe in search of postulants. Elsa’s parents, especially her mother, objected to her going all the way to America so they would not permit her to accompany the first group. When Sister M. Bernard came to Europe one year later, Elsa’s parents gave their consent but she was unable to accompany Sister because of a delay in getting her visa and papers in time. After many obstacles and an ocean crossed, finally they boarded the train for Clyde where they arrived on March 4. 

Elsa entered the postulancy on March 9, 1925. Her biggest barrier was the language problem, and her greatest joy was going to holy adoration. As a postulant she helped wherever needed, though most of the work time was in the printery. Then during her novitiate most of the time was typesetting in the printery. She also helped in the canning room during the summer months. 

She made first profession on February 15, 1927 and Perpetual Vows on February 21, 1932. At about that time she was assigned to make the collariums for the large community at Clyde. Scarcely had she learned that task, when she was assigned to St. Joseph’s Academy to take care of household chores and teach the children how to do the same. During this assignment she often rose early to go to the barn or to clean the chapel, which was always done before the community came to choir.

In 1932 Sister was assigned to our Mundelein community where she served as sacristan for eleven years, also making the collariums for the community. Returning to Clyde for a few years she continued serving as refectorian and making collariums until the Kansas City convent was opened. After several months as sacristan there, she was assigned to Tucson where she remained until 1987, with short assignments in Clyde and Mundelein in between.

In the summer of 1968 Sr. Elsa had the unexpected joy of returning to Germany after the General Chapter allowed home visits. On May 13, 1987 Sr. M. Elsa became a member of the St. Benedict Health Care community and endeared herself to the nursing staff and community. She died March 13, 1992.