S. Bernice Knelleken (1892-1981) - First Chemistry Degree at CSB - Teacher and Administrator
Sister Bernice Knelleken (Marie Theodora) was born in 1892 in Tacoma, Washington, to Anthony and Elizabeth (Berger). She entered the community in 1907, following in her sister Borgia's footsteps. She began teaching math in 1911 at St. Benedict's Academy. In 1923, she received the first bachelor's degree in chemistry at the College of St. Benedict. She also studied at Marquette University, Notre Dame, Xavier University, Loras College, St. Louis University, Divi Thomae, and the Catholic University of America. During her schooling, she received two summer grants at “Divi Thomae” Radiological Health Center and Xavier University for chemistry. She completed her M.S. at Marquette in 1939, and her dissertation was titled - "The Effect of Organic Inhibitors Upon the Corrosion of Aluminum and some of its Alloys by a Half Normal Sodium Hydroxide Solution".
Her grandmother always had the idea she would enter the convent and receive special “gifts” from her grandmother and godparents. When Mother Cecelia Kaspner and Mother Louise Walz visited her in grade 7, she asked to be admitted to St. Benedict's Convent at that time but was laughed at and told to wait until she graduated. Shortly after graduation, she joined the community. Even as a young aspirant and novice, she began teaching at a boarding school in Bismarck, ND. After returning she taught science and mathematics at St. Benedict’s Academy, Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, and in Cold Spring, Minnesota. She also taught in Nebraska and Wisconsin. Her work also included serving as Principal at Cathedral High School and St. Boniface High School in Cold Spring, MN, and later serving as an office aide until she retired after 74 years in the schools. She had an artistic touch that showed up in her school bulletin boards and in the crafts and needlework she did, even when her eyesight was blurred with cataracts, she continued. Her “shop” across from the main office at Cathedral High School was more of a recycling center than a craft room, but at the convent and school, her artistic touch was present. She was known for lettering diplomas and learned how to gold plate wire designs on wood in later years. Also, repurposed buttons that said “Joy” or “Hello” or a smile, that she didn’t charge full price. Sister Bernice was known as a “fully human, fully alive”. Her prayerfulness and generosity in sharing gifts and talents endeared her to others. For example, she always printed extra copies of photos to give away or followed up with students by writing letters to them over the years. At St. Boniface, she equipped a darkroom where school pictures and orders from local residents occupied her far beyond the call of duty. She exhibited a sensitive interest in people as well as a sense of humor. As one sister described her joy could change the face of the earth, as happiness is doubled when it is shared. Various testimonies on her behalf share that she was a “real person” and “really with it”. She was loyal and gracious, and this was a constant pattern in her life. In 1976, she retired to St. Raphael's Convent and in 1981 moved to Saint Scholastica Convent. One interesting note is that after her father’s death in 1931, Sister Bernice’s mother became a Visitation nun in South Tacoma, Washington.
