Frieda Eberhard was born at Laudenbach, Germany on Feb. 24, 1887. An elder sister, Sr.M. Dominica entered at Clyde a few years before Frieda’s entrance on Sept. 3, 1904. A brother, Father Alphonse, had become a monk at Conception Abbey. He died July 10, 1946.
Sister was invested with the holy habit on Feb.19, 1910; made profession of temporary vows on Aug. 26,1911, receiving the name of Sister M. Irmengard; perpetual vows on Feb. 4, 1917; and received Consecration of Virgins on Nov. 16, 1952.
In the early years of her religious life Sister worked in the garden at Clyde and was also stationed at the orphanage for a time. She was deeply spiritual, a hardworking, sacrificial person, and it seemed God took her at her word when at her profession she offered herself as a victim of love, for her life was to be one of suffering rather than activity. Afflicted with a painful form of rheumatoid arthritis, which worsened progressively, she was sent to Tucson when the priory was opened there in 1935, in the hope that the climate might be beneficial. "How good God is," she exclaimed, "to bring me to this warm climate!" Although she found some relief, the disease was not arrested. Later she was stationed at the Mundelein priory, where she worked in the altar bread department.
Back at Clyde, Sister was confined to bed in the infirmary. She accepted her sufferings with patient resignation, offering them for the Church, for the salvation of souls, and in reparation to the Sacred Heart. She prayed much and loved to have someone read to her from a spiritual book; she also derived much comfort and strength from the chaplain's visits and counsels. From her bed of pain she united with the adorers in our five Eucharistic sanctuaries, offering adoration and praise, thanksgiving and reparation to Jesu Hostia.
Death came as a welcome relief on Sept. 23, 1958 when she had reached the age of 71 years.