Esther   Waltz was born in Dayton Township, Iowa County, Iowa, on Aug. 22, 1890,  the son of Jacob Michael Waltz and Angela Mary Wagner. 

Before she was born, her family lived in Chest Springs, Cambria County, Pa.  Her parents were encouraged to move to Iowa by her maternal grandparents, Jacob and Jane Wagner.

Esther Waltz became a nun, and was known as Sister Mary Bernadette.  She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Name Novitiate, Oakland, California on June 21, 1910.  She received the "Holy Habit" on Jan. 6, 1911, made her first vows on July 8, 1912 and her final vows on July 18, 1917

Sr. Mary Bernadette was stationed many places, but her final years were spent at the Motherhouse in Los Gatos, where she spent her time making handiwork for their gift shop.  She also fashioned rosaries.

She died from liver cancer on June 3, 1961 in Los Gatos, California and is buried on the sisters' plot in the Catholic cemetery there.