Teresa Helena Prugger was born in Springfield, Missouri, January 28, 1904, the 3rd child in a family of four children. Her father, August Fred Prugger spent most of his boyhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he went to work at an early age to assist in the support of his mother. His ambition was to be a railroad mechanic, and in pursuit of this goal he moved to Springfield, Missouri. There he met his future wife, Eva Louise Sprohs. They were married on May 5, 1896 by Rev. Paul Wetzelburger, OSB, in St. Joseph's Church; the assistant pastor at the ceremony was Rev. Philip Ruggle, OSB, who later became Abbot of Conception Abbey.

Eva Louise Sprohs (Sr. M. Irene's mother) was born in Mainz, Germany and came to this country with her parents at the age of 2. Her father worked as a carpenter and conducted an orchestra in Springfield, Missouri.

In 1916 Sr. M. Beatrice Ruscha, from our community, sent a yearbook of St. Joseph Academy at Clyde, Missouri to the Prugger home. When Teresa finished the 7th grade in St. Joseph's school in Springfield, she wanted to go to the Academy at Clyde, but her parents did not give their consent. Finally, in 1918 she had their permission and entered the Academy to finish the 8th grade. 

Sister recalled that she was impressed with Fr. Lukas Etlin, chaplain at Clyde, who spoke twice a week to all the students in the study hall and among other topics he always upheld vocations to the religious life. In the Fall of 1918 the war ended and a dreadful epidemic of Asiatic flu broke out all over the world, claiming many victims. To protect the students they were obliged to remain at the boarding school during the Christmas vacation. There were 125 students boarding at the Academy.

In January 1922 she crossed the threshold from the Academy to the convent, continued her classes and graduated June 1922. When she was invested as a novice on July 15, 1922, the celebrant at Mass was Rev. Stephen Schappler, OSB, a second cousin who later was elected Abbot at Conception Abbey. Her parents were unable to come because of a railroad strike. She professed first vows on August 25, 1923, receiving the name Sr. Mary Irene.

Her first convent assignment after graduation was in the Correspondence Dept, where she worked for five years. Later she learned the electrical work and also spent part time in the Printery. May 28, 1928 she was among the first 12 who left Clyde for our new Priory at Mundelein, Illinois. She returned to Clyde for a retreat before the day of her Perpetual Vows which took place August 26, 1928, then returned to Mundelein where she lived for 11 years. She returned to the Motherhouse in Clyde in June 1939. After the new boiler plant was put into operation at Clyde, Sr. M. Irene was asked to help out there because of her experience in Mundelein with the oil burners. It was no easy task for her to take over this responsibility which she carried for 14 years.

In January 1958 she was selected by the General Council to replace Sr. M. Hildelita Mergen who had to resign from the General Council due to failing health. She still retained the boiler plant responsibility and in addition was given the task of handling the Insurance for the entire congregation.

In November 1962 she was appointed Prioress of our Tucson Monastery, and in November 1965 was appointed Prioress of the Clyde Monastery. From May 1967 to March 1968 her subprioress was Sr. Josephine Marie Roos who preceded her in death by 12 hours. In March 1968, Sr. M. Irene again took up residence in Mundelein until April 1970 when she went to Kansas City.

In May 1981 Sr. M. Irene became a member of the St. Benedict Health Care Community at our St. Louis monastery. Through the years she suffered from continued failing health, and for some time has been completely bedfast. As silent as her waiting has been, so silent was her death at 3:00 AM on November 26, 1995, the Solemnity of Christ the King. What a beautiful experience of freedom and joy for her to enter into the fullness of peace in the heavenly kingdom on this day!

Mass of Christian burial for both Sr. Irene and Sr. Josephine Marie Roos was celebrated in the St. Louis monastery chapel on Tuesday, November 28. It is the first time we remember having two coffins together in the middle aisle for the celebration of Christian burial for two of our sisters.