Sister Elizabeth Kohl, OSB papers

Sister Elizabeth Kohl, OSB was born Elizabeth Ann on March 1st, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois. The oldest of four children, Sister attended the Queen of Angels Parish School and Saint Scholastica High School Chicago. Following in the footsteps of her great-aunt, Sister Adelaide Stuerzel, OSB, and her aunt, Sister Anastasia Kohl, OSB, Sister joined the community on September 7th, 1933. She made her first vows on August 16th, 1935, and her final profession on August 16th, 1938. She was given the name Sister Aurelia upon her investiture, but following Vatican II, she reclaimed her baptismal name.

Sister recieved a Ph.B from Loyola University and a M.S. from DePaul University. She also earned a Certificate in Theology from Saint Xavier College, and took further science courses at Loretto Heights College and the University of Illinois at Urbana. After earning her Master's in Biology, she continued her work in higher education by giving a lecture series sponsored by the Chicago Academy of Science.

Sister taught at a variety of parochial schools, including Saint Hilary School, Saint George School, and Mother of God School. During the summer months, she also served at religious vacation schools across Colorado, including Ouray, Silverton, Nucla, and Red Cliff. However, Sister's longest assignments were teaching in the science departments of both Saint Scholastica Academy Canon City and Saint Scholastica High School Chicago. By the time she retired in June of 1990, Sister had taught more than 5,500 students over the course of 55 years.

Once a pupil of Sister Celestine Fischer, Sister was also skilled at calligraphy and lettering, producing artwork and designs for jubilee programs, christmas cards, and more. Additionally, she created artworks and crafts in a variety of mediums, including leather, watercolor, and jewelery-making. Her collage artworks, consisting of various biological and geological specimens and mounted on wood, demonstrate her dual passion for both science and art. An animal lover, Sister also had many pets, including snakes, fish, and parakeets. After retirement, she raised canaries.

Sister Elizabeth died on February 2nd, 1996. She is buried in All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois.