She was born in Vincennes, Indiana, on February 20, 1926, to Lawrence and Eva (Lampe) Clauss. She was the second oldest of four children.

Surviving is a brother, Robert of Vincennes; nieces and nephews; and members of her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Rev. Joseph Clauss; and a sister, Rita Schmidt.

Sister Benedicta entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1947. She made her temporary vows in 1949 and her perpetual vows in 1952. She observed the 60^th anniversary of her monastic profession in 2009. She taught at St. Joseph School and Mater Dei High School in Evansville, at St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, Benedict College in Charleston, North Carolina, and at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. She was also dean of students at St. Benedict College in Ferdinand. She later was a speech therapist and teacher at North American College in Rome, Italy, and a tutor in English as a Second Language in Dale. In 2006, she compiled a book, God Calls The Walsh Family, about the six children of Herbert and Julia Walsh who became either Benedictine sisters at the Ferdinand monastery or Benedictine monks at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad. She served in support services and in prayer ministry at the monastery since 2007.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 12, from 2 to 6:45 p.m. EST at the monastery, with a wake service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday, February 13, from 1 to 4:15 p.m. The funeral mass will be at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.

Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand is in charge of arrangements.