Rita Agnes Ziegler was born in Kimmswick on May 28, 1932, the 12th of 13 children of Joseph and Theresa (Sheman) Ziegler. She was baptized on June 2 at Immaculate Conception Parish in Arnold.

On July 25, 1950, she began her novitiate with the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood as Sister Clara Therese. She professed vows on Aug. 10, 1952, and marked her 70th anniversary of profession this year.

Sister Clara Therese spent many years as a homemaker, and she took well-deserved pride in providing healthy, tasty meals and exquisite baked goods. In Missouri, she ministered at the community’s motherhouse in O’Fallon, St. Brendan in Mexico, Sacred Heart in Florissant, All Saints in St. Peters, St. Monica, St. Agatha and Holy Family parishes in St. Louis, and the archbishop’s residence in St. Louis. She also served in Colorado, Nebraska and Illinois.

In 1986, she began service as a driver, taking sisters to appointments and making twice-weekly trips to St. Louis to carry mail and packages to and from the Motherhouse and the St. Louis missions.

Sister Clara Therese was preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings Richard, Leonard, Edward, Theodore, Rosalia, Oswald, Joseph, Mary Ann, Daniel, Raymond and Theresa. She is survived by her sister Clara.

Burial was in the convent cemetery.