Mary Agnes Schildknecht was born in Switzerland, January 17, 1863. She came to Clyde as a postulant on June 20, 1886, was invested with the Benedictine habit on August 24th of the same year, and made profession as Sister M. Odelia on November 17, 1887. Her commitment was sealed with perpetual vows on July 11, 1894. She was a younger sister of Sister M. Cecilia, who had entered a few years earlier.

Sister M. Odelia helped at the orphanage for three years, and spent five years at the foundation in Chewelah, Washington. Being skilled in needle work, she rendered valuable service in the stitching room. She also served as Novice Mistress and as sacristan.

As Sister was of stern character, she inspired fear rather than confidence in her proteges, though she was loved and respected by all for her good qualities. She was wholly given to our Eucharistic vocation and usually took the difficult hours of night adoration from 3:00 to 4:00 and 4:00 to 5:00 a.m., after which she would remain for Lauds, Prime, Tierce, Holy Mass, Benediction and Sext, all following each other in close sequence and lasting from two to three hours.

Sister died September 5, 1933 at the age of seventy. Those who were at her bedside when she expired, including the chaplain, Father Paul Wetzelsberger, O.S.B., remarked that about three minutes before she expired, Sister M. Odelia opened her eyes wide and gazed upward with a heavenly smile. After a minute or so she closed her eyes and her breathing gradually ceased. It was recalled that Sister had often said that when her time came to die, her sister, Sister M. Cecilia (who had died three years before) would come for her. Seemingly this prediction had been fulfilled.