Sister M. Johanna Elbert (Clara Ruth) was born in Sedro-Wolley, Washington on July 19, 1907, the fourth child of a close-knit family of three boys and three girls. Their family farm, called the "Twin City Nursery," was largely devoted to raising fruits and berries of many kinds, but there was also some regular farming, with a few head of cattle.

From earliest childhood, Clara loved to be with her father as he went about his work. Even at the age of three, a special seat was provided for her on his farm implements, and she would hold the reins of the horses drawing the vehicle, proudly believing she was doing the driving, though a wise father also had a firm grasp on the reins. Thus was formed a close and enduring relationship.

When Clara was about five years old, she fell when swinging from the tip of a sapling, breaking her nose and chin and sustaining a back injury that was to remain a lifelong cross. But this did not keep her from many other escapades, such as slipping the mud-clotted hair from the cows' tails as they stood in their stalls. (Cleanliness was her motive - an all-important factor in her life.) The good intention saved her from what might have called for a good spanking.

Though mentally bright and alert, Clara had great difficulty in school because of extremely poor eyesight, which the optometrist in their small town was unable to correct. Not until she entered high school was she fitted with proper glasses by an oculist in a town some thirty miles away - a considerable distance in those days of slow travel. Defective vision was a second cross which Clara bore patiently all her life, but it neither dampened her vivacity or enthusiasm through the years.

Prayer together was an integral part of the family's life, though Clara often tried to slip upstairs when the rosary was started. Thanks to a vigilant brother she was brought back into line, and it was to this brother that she later attributed her vocation, as he often regaled her with stories about the saints as they worked or played together.

During the summer vacations and for a short while after graduation, Clara worked at a local hospital. At the age of eighteen she answered a long-felt call to the religious life, inspired by an article in "Tabernacle and Purgatory," and she was received into our Clyde community on Feb. 1, 1926. The day she left home, was, she said, the first time she had ever seen her father in tears. Aug. 21, 1926 witnessed her investment as a Novice. Frequent illnesses necessitated the postponement of her profession until March 10, 1928, when she was given the name of Sister M. Johanna. Again there was a delay before she could make perpetual vows on Sept. 8, 1933. She received Consecration of Virgins in 1953. In 1932 she had the joy of seeing her sister Esther, four years her junior, enter at Clyde as a postulant.

While stationed at Clyde (until 1944), Sister fulfilled a variety of work assignments: in the poultry yard, in the vestry, making collariums, in the altar bread department, and as portress. She spent 1944 at Mundelein - most of the time as a patient in the infirmary. Back at Clyde in 1945, she remained there until 1948, when our Tucson convent became her home. 

In April, 1974, through the generosity of her sister Josephine and husband, Sister M. Johanna joined a pilgrimage to Greece, the Holy Land and Rome - an experience that affected her profoundly. 

Being a warm, outgoing nature, through the years Sister gained a host of friends among the clergy, religious and laity - many of them through contact as portress. Her Golden Jubilee celebration in Tucson on Feb. 10, 1978 was truly a high point in her life, with many priests as concelebrants of the Liturgy and many guests. In the ceremonial folder prepared for the occasion, she inserted this note of thanks; "To all of you sharing my Golden Jubilee joys, members of my community, my family and friends:

"God, my Father, has spoken to me in many ways: in Scripture, in Liturgy, in Creation, in music. Each of you have become a part of the fabric of my life, too. You have brought color and texture into my being by your love, kindness, concern and generosity. You have made my life a SONG and I want to sing it FOREVER!"

But sinister forces were at work in her body, and it was discovered not long afterward that she had a malignant growth in her abdomen. Before long the disease showed up in various parts of her body, and the fact that it had become terminal had to be faced. Endless treatments, surgery, periods in and out of the hospital, brought some relief but also much pain and discomfort. All was borne cheerfully and in perfect conformity with the Will of God, though Sister still hoped that her life might be spared.

Her condition grew rapidly worse, however, and in March, 1979 she was transferred to St. Benedict’s Health Care Center at our St. Louis Motherhouse. To Sister's great consolation, Sister M. Esther came from our San Diego convent to be with her for a week, ministering lovingly to her every want and need, and helping her to put all her things in order, and also to plan her funeral liturgy. In mid May she also had the joy of a visit from her much loved older sister, Josephine, who remained almost constantly at her bedside and was with her when she yielded her soul to God in the early morning of May 27th. Several cousins came for her funeral on May 29th, among them a Sister and Father Gerdon who con- celebrated her funeral liturgy with Father Wilfrid Tunik, O.S.B. of Pevely. The hymns and readings chosen by her were used, and it was all very joyous.

After the funeral liturgy her body was taken to Clyde, where she was laid to rest on Mt. Calvary, the following day. Only the eternal choir-master knew the ardor of her desire to make her life a song. May she spend her eternity singing that song, taught to those who eagerly and courageously follow the Lamb the Lamb during their brief sojourn on earth.

In response to Sister M. Johanna's wish that the community celebrate her home-going with joy, her sisters provided a special treat for dessert at the noon meal for the community on the day of her funeral.