Marcella, known to us as Sister Elmerine, was born on a farm in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, to her loving parents, John and Rose. She was blessed with six brothers: Leander, Edward, Elmer, John, Harold, Leonard, and four sisters, Margaret, Loretta, Frances, and Amelia. Marcella was the fourth youngest in the family.
All the children attended St. Francis Xavier School, where they were taught by the School Sisters of St. Francis. Their journey to school was made in the family’s truck, which also carried milk cans to the cheese factory. Marcella was not initially eager to attend school or to learn the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Two of her sisters, Loretta (Sister Haroldine), and Frances (Sister John Rose), had already joined the School Sisters of St. Francis, and Marcella herself was determined to follow in their footsteps.
At just 13 years old, she entered the convent in 1952. When Mother Corona asked Marcella which path she wanted to pursue – teacher, nurse, or musician – Elmerine replied, “I want to take care of babies, two years old and younger.” Mother Corona responded quickly, “We only have orphanages in Honduras, and I don’t think you want to go there.” She firmly stated that Marcella would need to pursue an education.
After three years at St. Joseph High School and her postulancy, Marcella became Sister Elmerine in 1955. Following her novitiate, she received her first teaching assignment at St. Gregory School in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where she taught second and third grade.
From 1959 to 1968, Sister Elmerine taught in Roselle, Illinois; Hubbell, Michigan; River Grove, Illinois; and Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. In 1968, she was sent to St. John School in Johnsburg, Wisconsin, a rural school that reminded her of her own wonderful upbringing. There, she taught grades five through eight with Sister Joann Riesterer. When Sister Joann left St. John’s, Elmerine invited her sister, Haroldine, who also loved the country, to teach with her. “The people in Johnsburg were great, and working with my sister was heavenly,” Sister Elmerine shared.
By 1980, their mother was living alone in the family farmhouse, so both sisters accepted teaching positions at St. Michael School in Dane, Wisconsin, to be near her. Although the pastor was very supportive, the situation eventually changed, and after six years, the sisters left the parish.
Sister Elmerine then accepted a position of teaching fifth grade at St. John School in Spring Green, Wisconsin. When the principal later left, parishioners asked her to step into the role. However, the position required her to be the principal of two schools, something she was not interested in at the time. A new principal was hired, but a sense of unease remained, and Sister Elmerine decided to leave the school after Christmas.
Finding a position in the middle of the school year was not easy. Our provincial assured Elmerine she could take any job – except one at the tavern owned by her sister Amelia and brother-in-law!
Eventually, a woman from Dane offered Sister Elmerine a job at the IRS, which she accepted. At the same time, she also cleaned rooms at the local Highlander Motel. “I had so much experience cleaning at St. Joseph Convent that I knew I could excel in that job,” Elmerine said with a sly smile on her face.
When the next school year began, Sister Elmerine returned to education, serving first as principal at Sacred Heart School in Franklin, then at St. Alexander School in Milwaukee. She later returned to classroom teaching at St. Rita School in West Allis and St. Josaphat School in Milwaukee. In total, Sister Elmerine dedicated 54 years to teaching and administration.
One might ask, what does Sister Elmerine do now in her retirement at Maria Linden Apartments in Milwaukee? Her contagious laughter echoes down the halls and fills the car as she cheerfully chauffeurs sisters to appointments or simply goes out for a fun car ride. She also delivered Easter Baskets to sell at her home parish of St. Francis Xavier in Cross Plains. Proceeds from the sales support the retirement of her fellow sisters.
Sister Elmerine is also known for her baking: rhubarb bread, banana bread with pecans, chocolate chip cookies, and more. The moment you walk into her apartment, the aroma of fresh bakery welcomes you.
She enjoys playing the card game euchre several times a week with some very competitive sisters at Maria Linden, and on sunny weekends and holidays, you might spot her white Toyota cruising down I-94 on her way back to her hometown. Happy 70th Jubilee, Sister Elmerine!