Frances Diemert was born in Waterloo, Illinois on June 17, 1889, the 6th of thirteen children. When seven years old she was providentially saved from falling into a well, through the intervention of her Guardian Angel, to whom she was gratefully devoted all her life. The family moved to St. Louis when Frances was in her early teens. At the age of fifteen she became an apprentice in a milliner shop and worked at this trade till her entrance at Clyde August 18, 1911, at the age of twenty-two. 

She was invested with the Benedictine habit six months later - January 13, 1912 and at her first profession on January 18, 1913 became Sister Mary Ehrentrude. Perpetual profession was made August 24, 1918 and she received Consecration of Virgins November 16, 1952. She celebrated both her Golden and Diamond Jubilees. Two of Sister M. Ehrentrude's sisters were members of the Franciscan Order and one a Religious of the Sacred Heart.

Though diminutive in size (slightly over four feet) Sister was a prodigious worker, especially as a seamstress, in which she excelled and which remained her chief occupation during most of her religious life. She taught sewing at the Academy for some years and also gave piano lessons to the younger girls for about ten years. From 1927 to 1929 she served as assistant to the Novice Mistress, Sister M. Carmelita. From 1929 to 1933 she was Postulant Mistress, except for a year's rest in between. Though of a quiet disposition, she was a good disciplinarian and herself gave an excellent example of diligence and of faithful, conscientious devotion to duty. She had a great love and zeal for adoration, the Mass and the Divine Office, and was devoted to our Blessed Mother and the Rosary.

In 1935 Sister became a pioneer at our Tucson foundation, where she remained for twenty-five years, serving principally as portress and seamstress. In 1944 she came to the General Chapter at Clyde as a delegate from Tucson. In 1960 she was transferred back to Clyde, in a weakened state of health which made it necessary for her to reside in the infirmary. In 1968 she was transferred to the Kansas City community, in the hope that life would be easier for her in a smaller house. There she helped with the mending as much as her failing eyesight would permit.

In October 1971 Sister suffered two strokes, which necessitated her being moved to the infirmary at Clyde. With therapy and patient care her condition improved to the extent that she was able to go about with a walker and also to do knitting and weaving in the craft room. Though her vision, her speech and hearing were greatly impaired, she still loved to be with the community.

Her condition steadily worsened and toward the end of 1973 she was confined to her room in the infirmary. On Friday, Feb. 8, 1974 she received a drop of the Precious Blood as her Viaticum, and died peacefully at about 10:30 that night at the age of eighty-five.