Father Winfrid Herbst SDS was born in 1891 in Poygan, Wisconsin. All his studies for the priesthood were done at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, where he also spent his Novitiate year, beginning in 1914. He made his profession of vows on October 26, 1915, and was ordained a priest in St. Ambrose Chapel on August 28, 1921.