Emma Matilda Wagner was born in Montrose, Mo., July 19, 1894, the fourth in a family of six children. Her father was from Bavaria, her mother from Switzerland. She attended a country school near home for the first three grades, then walked two miles daily to St.Mary's parochial school in Montrose. Her teachers were Precious Blood Sisters from Ohio, and on completion of the eighth grade, Emma became a postulant in their community. Called home after three months because of her mother's serious illness, she intended to return as soon as possible.

In October, 1910, when visiting her older sister Lena, who was attending St. Joseph's Academy at Clyde, Emma enrolled for a two-year normal course. The Academy girls were permitted occasionally to accompany their prefectress to nocturnal adoration. This prayer at night so attracted Emma that she decided to enter the community even before the completion of her course, and on Jan. 1, 1912 she became a postulant. 

She passed the State Board and received a teacher's certificate which qualified her to teach in the state of Missouri. Sister was invested with the Benedictine habit on Aug. 24, 1912. The following month she was sent to teach at St. Mary's ("Wild Cat") public school in the vicinity of the convent. Although still a novice she was permitted to wear a black veil to school and was given the name of Sister M. Gemma. Her first vows were offered to God on Jan. 24, 1914, and followed with perpetual vows on Jan. 6, 1921. Sister also enjoyed the privilege of Consecration of Virgins and of celebrating both her Golden and Diamond Jubilees.

At the end of the school year in 1914 Sister was assigned work in the printery, mainly in setting type, but she also helped with other work. To her great joy, her youngest sister, Barbara, entered in 1918 and was professed as Sister M. Eulalia.

After thirteen years at the printery, major surgery necessitated a change and Sister was assigned to the correspondence department. From 1947 to 1950 she was portress, then returned to the correspondence department and helped with the crediting and the mailing.

Sister was very adept at chaining rosaries and chaplets, and often busied herself in this way during recreation and free time. Another assignment was to serve the chaplain’s meals and the students who lived at the convent while attending Conception seminary. These young men never forgot her great kindness, which found expression in many ways, recalling it even after her death.

In June, 1956 Sister M. Gemma was transferred to our Mundelein convent, where she was portress for two years, and helped to pack altar breads. Here, too, her kindness and warm hospitality won the gratitude and esteem of the many visitors to the convent.

With the passing years her health declined. By June, 1975 her condition had become such that it was deemed best to remove her to the central infirmary at Clyde. On Nov. 30th she was taken to St. Louis when the central infirmary was transferred to the Motherhouse. By this time she had grown very frail and was confined to bed, requiring complete nursing care. 

On Jan. 21st the Eucharist was offered in Sister M. Gemma's room in connection with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Sister continued to grow weaker and less able to tolerate solid food. She was able to speak only a few words but maintained consciousness until the Angel of Death came to take her to the eternal nuptials at 2:48 p.m. Thursday, January 29th, while the Superiors, Sr.M.Eulalia and others were praying at her bedside. The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated on Saturday and the remains taken to Clyde for burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, following the Mass of the Presentation of our Lord in the Temple on Monday, February 2nd.