Sister Elaine (Beatrice) Ettel entered eternal life on September 29, 2010 at St. Martin Monastery. She was born on a farm near Freeport, MN. to Joseph and Christine Ettel on August 26, 1918. When she was only three months old, her mother became very ill during the flu epidemic. Sister Elaine writes in her autobiography, My grandmother took me into her home where I soon became attached to my aunts and uncles in that household. In the summer of 1932, she went to live with her parents to help take care of her mother and her younger siblings. Her schooling took place in country schools and in schools staffed by the Benedictine Sisters from St. Joseph, MN. She was overjoyed to be admitted along with her cousin, Sister Norbert Vogel, to St. Martins Convent in Sturgis on September 4, 1936. There, she worked in the chapel, bakery, and laundry. In July of 1943, she and Sister Pascal went to Minneapolis to keep house at the Basilica of St. Marys Rectory for five years. She was then asked to keep house for Bishop McCarty at 1622 West Boulevard in Rapid City for the next five years. From that time until her retirement, she was sacristan and guest mistress at the Monastery. Sister Elaine loved nature. She especially loved watching anything grow with the help of her green thumb. Her plants were the envy of all the guests. Sister Elaine said that she gave her life to God and that she received many wonderful, daily gifts in return. Sister Elaine is survived by two brothers, Clarence and Alquin Ettel, a sister, Kathy Middenhof, and numerous nieces and nephews. The vigil and visitation will be at 6:30 pm on Friday, October 1, 2010 and the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am in the Monastery Chapel. A memorial has been established for St. Martins Chapel.