Born in Indianapolis, Ind. on Aug. 23, 1893, of American-born parents, Mary Catherine Koers entered at Clyde on April 9, 1926. Mature in years, she was also mature in character, very gentle and refined. She entered the novitiate on Feb.15, 1927, and made her first profession of vows as Sister M. Gertrude on Mar. 10, 1928. Perpetual vows followed on Sept. 8, 1933.

Though never very robust, and unaccustomed to manual labor, Sister was always ready for any task and generously embraced the hard work entailed in her various assignments. She was assistant sacristan for a time under a Sister who, because of her own rugged constitution, sometimes unknowingly taxed her helper beyond her strength. But Sister never complained. Later she herself assumed the responsibility and discharged this privileged duty faithfully and conscientiously for a number of years.

In August 1937 Sister M. Gertrude was transferred to the Mundelein priory, where she served as portress, among other duties. Here too she won the love and esteem of all by her kind, cheerful, humble disposition. In July 1947, as her health was failing noticeably, she entered the hospital at Evanston for tests. Unexpectedly, a massive heart seizure brought her to death's door. She was conscious and alert and expressed gratitude for every smallest service. Everything possible was done to save her life. 

When the prayers for the dying were said for her, a few hours before her death, she followed all closely and at the end called attention to the fact that the prayer to St. Benedict for a happy death had not been said and indicated just where this prayer could be found in her missal.

The Bridegroom came for His faithful bride in the early morning of August 3, 1947. She was in the 21st year of her religious life and the 54th of her age.