Mary Catherine Lickteig was born on a farm near Scipio, Kansas Feb. 19, 1886. Her father was an emigrant from Germany, her mother a native of Kansas. Of the ten children in the family, two of the boys became Carmelite priests and two of the girls Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Like other members of the family, Mary Catherine was taught by the Ursuline Sisters in Scipio, but was prepared for her First Communion by Father Placid Schmidt of Conception, from whom she learned of the Benedictine Sisters at Clyde. The thought of keeping adoration before the Blessed Sacrament appealed to her strongly and she resolved to join this community someday, but kept this as a closely guarded secret. When in 1905, her younger sister Anna confided her plan to join the Ursuline community at Paola, Kansas, Mary Catherine revealed her desire to become a Benedictine Adorer at Clyde. Their parents readily consented, though they felt keenly the sacrifice of giving up two daughters at the same time.

The two girls planned to travel together as far as Clyde, and Anna would then go on to join the Ursulines in Kansas. But when they reached Clyde, Anna decided to stop for a day or so to see the place. So impressed was she with Clyde that she felt this was where God wanted her too. So on Dec. 7, 1905, Mother M. John and the Clyde Sisters admitted two postulants instead of one. They were invested with the religious habit on July 14, 1906 and made profession as Sisters M. Florentine and Anastasia on Sept.27, 1907.

Sister M. Florentine, however, did not go on to make perpetual vows, but became an Oblate member instead. She worked in the printery about twenty years, running the large presses and helping with the general work. After that she spent five years working in the garden with Sister M. Laurentia, who also taught her how to make flower beds and care for flowers. This became Sister's specialty, and she developed an almost magic knack for raising flowers. For many years she had charge of the flowers and the greenhouse, and forced gradually to give up this loved work, though her interest continued to the end. 

Blessed with good health and a strong constitution, she gave herself generously to whatever work was assigned to her. She was charitable, self-sacrificing, and faithful to her commitment as an Oblate, and to the perpetual adoration.

In the summer of 1975 Sister was hospitalized with a broken hip, which caused intense pain and discomfort. Back at the Clyde infirmary, she was convinced that she would never walk again. Though there was no specific illness or complication in her condition, she failed noticeably. She retained her sweet disposition and loved to pray with those who came to visit her. 

By the 12th of September, Sister's condition had become critical; her blood pressure and pulse were low and she was given oxygen. Father Alphonse, O.S.B., the infirmary chaplain, who had previously anointed Sister, visited her after the infirmary Mass the next morning and prayed with her. About 3 o'clock on September  13th the Superiors were called to the infirmary, and as they approached her room they heard a deep sigh, after which Sister seemed to take a few more breaths, and then very quietly slipped away to the Lord. Fr. Alphonse celebrated the Mass of the Resurrection on Monday, the 15th. Most of the Scripture passages reflected our privilege of being children of the Father. This reference was most appropriate for Sister, because of her beautiful childlike spirit which she retained to the end. She was in the 90th year of her age and the 70th of her religious life.