Ida Jentsch was born in Niederwald, Switzerland on May 30, 1894—one of ten children. Her parents and grandmother who lived with them imparted a good religious training. Ida cherished the desire to become a Sister from childhood, and it was to her mother that she attributed her religious vocation. When her mother died at the birth of the 10th child, Ida, age eleven, was largely responsible for the care of her younger sisters and brothers. Three years later her father married Maria Etlin, a sister of Father Lukas. Though somewhat strict, the stepmother was kind to the children and took good care of them.

When Ida, at the age of fifteen, confided to her that she wished to enter a convent, Mother Maria counseled her to wait until she was at least seventeen. Ida was inclined toward the African missions, but Maria felt her health was not adequate for that kind of life and she herself applied to Mother M. John at Clyde for admission for Ida. The application was accepted and arrangements were made for Ida to travel to Clyde with another postulant (our future Sister M. Engelberta) and a student for Conception (Father Othmar Weiss).

The two postulants entered on Sept. 9, 1911 and Ida was extremely homesick for a time. But this soon wore off and she found happiness in her new life, though adjustment to American ways and convent discipline was not easy. She was invested on Jan. 13, 1912; made profession as Sister M. Amata on Jan. 18, 1913 and final profession on Aug. 24, 1918. She lived to celebrate both her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, and received the Consecration of Virgins in Nov. 1952.

Though Sister had never milked cows before, she was sent to the barn a few days after her profession. Afraid of the huge animals, she prayed to the poor souls for help. After a time she was able to milk more cows than some who had done it since childhood.

Sister was in Chewelah from 1922 to 1928, when she returned to Clyde. Soon afterward she was sent to Mundelein, where she helped with church goods sewing. In 1929 she was recalled to Clyde to take care of the German correspondence in C.D. At the same time she had charge of the workmen's dining room, a task she fulfilled faithfully for twenty-one years. Her kindness and consideration were appreciated both by the workmen and the students from Conception seminary. Many of the latter kept in touch with Sister afterwards, and she always rejoiced when a message came from 'one of her priests.' One of them sent her a gift of $100 for her diamond jubilee.

Sister had an unfailing love and concern for priests, especially missionaries, and prayed much and offered sacrifices for them. Many a time she obtained special favors for herself and others by offering the Precious Blood for the most forsaken priests in purgatory and asking their help. Her own brother Oscar became a Jesuit, and suffered from the limitations placed upon that Order by a hostile Swiss government.

From her early years Sister was an avid reader, and could remember and recount in detail things she had read long before. A cancerous condition in her mouth was cured at the Cancer Sanatorium in Savannah. Sister suffered much from foot trouble through the years, though in general her health was good. Failing eyesight, due to cataracts in both eyes caused much distress, though her hearing remained keen till the end.

Sister spent eleven years in San Diego - (1962-1971) where she helped with the church goods work. While there she had the joy of a visit from her niece and her husband from Switzerland. But her health declined after her Diamond Jubilee in 1973.  In July 1974 Sister was taken to St. Mary's Infirmary at Clyde.  On June 19, 1975 she lapsed into a semi-coma, from which she did not recover, and in the early morning of the 21st she slipped quietly into eternity.

In her later years Sister often recalled the hard work and many privations of the Sisters in the early days. But she felt that in spite of this they were happier than when times were more prosperous and work less taxing. As she saw it, comforts and satisfactions do not bring true happiness, but a life of sacrifice lived in pure love for Jesus. Her life of eighty-one years — sixty-four in the religious life — was truly one of generous self-giving in the service of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.