Sophie Stadler was born on November 13, 1897 and baptized the following day at the Church of St. Joseph in Topeka, Kansas. Her parents, John Peter Stadler and Susanna Schmidt Stadler were of German descent but both were born in Russia where their ancestors had gone at the time Princess Katherine married the Czar of Russia. Her father joked about the fact that in Russia he was a German and in the United States he was a Russian. Sophie was the second youngest of 16 children, 9 girls and 7 boys. After seven years of schooling, she started to work at age 15, learning to sew at a leading dressmaker’s shop. She learned so well that later she was employed at the Berkson Bros. Store for 16 years and was in charge of the Alteration Department, for most of that time.

Her father died in 1919 and her youngest sister, Rose, was married in 1922, so until the death of her mother in Dec. 1932 she lived alone with her mother for 10 years. During those years she was a very special "Aunt Sophie" to the many nieces and nephews who came to visit at grandmother’s house, an affection and devotion that was mutual. 

Less than two years after her mother’s death, on September 9, 1934, Sophie entered the postulancy at Clyde. As a postulant she helped Sr. M. Donata with the Church wash and ironing, and as a novice she worked with Sr. M. Raphael in sewing the veils. Sr. M. Veronica professed first vows on August 29, 1936 and began working in the church work Department, in October that same year. She professed perpetual vows on August 30,  1941. 

The Vestment Departments in both Clyde and San Diego were blessed with her presence and expertise. She moved to the St. Louis monastery in 1973 where she remained until 1983, spent seven months in our Kansas City monastery, then returned to St. Louis. As a member of the St. Benedict Health Care community she did sewing and mending, also helping with the refectory work as long as her health permitted and until her eyesight failed.

On September 6, 1986 when she celebrated her Golden Jubilee, two of her grandnephews, Rev. Edward Domme and Rev. Richard Etzel, concelebrated Mass with Fr. William Doyle, S.J. with many other relatives sharing the occasion. In his homily Fr. Richard commented on Sister’s constant loving interest in all her relatives: "Sr. M. Veronica knows all her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, she knows everything about them. Sister has lived her personal vocation in using the vows she made 50 years ago to enhance devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist, giving her life for her family and friends. The family and community thank you, Sr. M. Veronica, for that! We thank you for the results and successes in marriages and vocations, certainly supported by your prayers." 

At the end of the Mass her other grandnephew, Fr. Domme remarked: "...Now I must laud Sister’s profound humility. It is very striking to see anyone live this life without complaining, but always gracious, gentle and kind, concerned with others." 

Although Sr. M. Veronica was becoming weaker, she was alert and able to communicate with her sisters and the members of the nursing staff until the end of her life. Very quickly and rather unexpectedly she died at 6:30 AM on Wednesday, February 23. Sr. M. Veronica died the way she lived, quietly and without needing to attract attention to herself. She will always be remembered for her great love for her many relatives. That she was dearly loved by them also was apparent when sixteen relatives came for the Prayer Vigil at the St. Louis monastery on February 24 and four came to the Mass the following day. A gold brocade vestment with an embroidered image of the Sacred Heart was worn for her funeral Mass, one of the fruits of her loving labors in the Stitching Room. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in our Clyde monastery chapel on Saturday, February 26, with 48 relatives present to celebrate in liturgy their loving farewell to a beloved Aunt Sophie.

A holy card was found among her few possessions, a picture of Jesus with this inspirational note: Jesus gives us everything in the Holy Eucharist: how can our hearts refuse him anything? 96 years is a long time to be giving everything to God! Sr. M. Veronica left us a glowing example of fidelity and perseverance.