Barbara Mary Wagner was born May 27, 1902, in Montrose, Missouri. She was the youngest of six children. Her parents were Joseph and Barbara Oswald Wagner. Her father was born in Bavaria, Germany. When he was three years old, he came to the United States with his family. Her mother’s native home was Naefels, Cantus Clarus, Switzerland; at 16, she came to this country with her parents. 

Barbara attended a country school near her home until September, 1916, when she went to St. Joseph’s Academy at Clyde, and took the three-year commercial course. Her sisters, Lena and Emma, had studied at the Academy before her. Emma entered the postulancy after graduation and, at profession of first vows, received the name of Sister M. Gemma. 

Barbara entered the postulancy at 15, prior to finishing her last year at the Academy. She kept up with her classes, and graduated with three other girls in June. During the early years of her monastic life, she was assigned to the correspondence department. After eight months as a novice, she went to the barn in the morning and evening to milk. She did this regularly for 32 years! On May 1, 1920, she professed temporary vows and received the name of Sr. M. Eulalia. She made perpetual vows on February 23, 1926.

Sr. M. Eulalia served the community in many capacities: correspondence department, bookkeeping, treasurer general, general councillor, subprioress, and prioress. She wrote, in answer to some questions about her personal history, that her happiest experiences were adoration, the divine office, holy reading, as well as “personal association with my sisters in community...assisting them in any way I could (both as sister and superior)... being spiritually enriched by their example.” 

In March, 1970, she came to St. Louis, where she continued to be of service until, due to failing health, she became a member of St. Benedict Health Care Center is 1981. It was during this time that Sr. M. Eulalia was asked be be a part of a long-term study, “the memory and aging project,” being undertaken by Washington University Medical Center. She was one of the oldest participants in this study.

On Thursday, October 31, 1996, it became apparent that Sr. M. Eulalia was nearing the end of her time with us, and the sisters kept vigil all night at her bedside. She seemed to rally until the afternoon of November 3, when she went peacefully to God. Many years before she had written: “We must trust Him even though we may not understand His designs, for they are for our good, a preparation for the eternal peace and joy awaiting us, if we are faithful...” 

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the St. Louis Monastery Chapel on Wednesday, November 6, with burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery at Clyde the following day.