Ida Frances Teresa was born on March 8, 1910, in Columbus, Ohio, the second child of Ignatius A and Josephine C. (Korte) Lagemann. Ida attended Holy Rosary grade school and high school. While in 8th grade and during High school she worked after school hours until 6 PM as assistant secretary for the NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) which was located in the Parish rectory, and then she continued to serve in this capacity for one year after graduation. In addition to religious training at school, Ida valued deeply the morning and evening times of prayer with her family along with their fun times together as a group. She herself was very active in sports: baseball, handball, volleyball, basketball and tennis. Their large yard at home became a recreation center for all the children of the neighborhood. She also thrived on the family's Sunday and holiday trips to the hills in Ohio for picnicking, fishing and swimming.

Ida entered the monastery on September 8, 1929, made her first profession of vows as Sr. M. Ernestine on August 22, 1931, and final profession on August 29, 1936. Her intensity and fidelity, both in prayer and in work, were matched and often exceeded by her boundless energy. A real "athlete for Christ," Sr. M. Ernestine seemed to respond literally to Benedict's admonition to "run the way of God's commandments". Only a few years ago her physical movements were slowed down after serious heart surgery and with illness her strength continued to deteriorate.

Appropriately at this time, when the world was focused on the Olympic games, Sr. M Ernestine completed her race to the finish, and won for herself, not a perishable gold medal but "the prize to which God calls us in Christ Jesus." There were no spectators when she passed the finish line. 

Sister had been nourished by her Viaticum at morning Eucharist and spent the day as usual. About 8:55 she stepped outside her room to ask the nurse for some medication. When the nurse returned to her room a few minutes later she found Sr. M. Ernestine sitting in her chair with her prayer book, having already entered into eternal life. All who knew her felt this was the way she would have wanted to go. She had remarked to someone that day of her concern about who was to die next, and her desire to pray for them! As we reflect on her passing and her life of activity and speed, the way the Lord came for her was with the speed of the eagle which seems so appropriate. May she now be unhampered in her flight to his Heart.