Ens, Helena Doerksen (1880-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Mar 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1880 Mar 19

text of obituary:

MRS. J. K. ENS

Helena Doerksen Ens, daughter of Martin and Maria Wiens Doerksen, was born on March 19, 1880, near Inman, Kansas. In the year 1900 she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and on Oct. 6, 1901, she was baptized and received into the membership of the K.M.B. church at Jansen, Neb.

On Jan. 24, 1901 she was married to Jacob K. Ens near Jansen. Our parents lived on a farm near Jansen until 1917 when they moved to Garden City, Kans. There they lived until 1936 when the dust storms forced them to leave. They resided at a number of places until 1947 when they settled in Hillsboro, Kansas, where they enjoyed the fellowship of their many friends and neighbors and where they joined the Hillsboro M. B. church, of which she was a faithful member until her death. On Jan. 24, 1951, they had the great joy of celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Had [mother lived but on [sic] day longer] mother lived but one day longer [note: one line duplicated, one line missing in original] ried [sic] exactly 59 years.

On June 10, 1959, due to mother's health, our parents moved into the Home for the Aged at Inman, Kansas. Here she received the best of care and she often expressed her appreciation for all the kindnesses shown her there.

Though our mother passed through several serious illnesses, the Lord always graciously restored her so that she could again go back to her daily tasks. It was a joy for her to serve others and she would spare no effort in helping those in need. She enjoyed going to visit her older friends and neighbors and fellowship with them. Especially was she concerned about the salvation of her immediate family. Only six days before her death, when some of the children gathered with her at their home, she had special prayer for her family.

It was on this day, Sunday, Jan. 17, 1960, that she became seriously ill and the following Wednesday she was taken to the Salem hospital in Hillsboro. It was always a great comfort and a real privilege for her that one of her nephews, Dr. P. D. Ens, could care for her.

Friday afternoon she was very ill but towards evening she recuperated enough so that we could have another short period of devotions with her. Saturday morning at about 3:00 o'clock we had another prayer with her to which she said a hearty “Amen” and then seemingly tried to pray herself. At 3:30 that morning, Jan. 23, 1960, she peacefully slipped away to be with the Lord. She had reached the age of 79 years, ten months, and four days.

Preceding her in death were one daughter, Tena, in 1909 and one son, Johnny, in 1917. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, J. K. Ens; two daughters and three sons, Mary and Henry A. Wiebe of Garden City, Kansas, Henry D. and Emma Ens of Hillsboro, Kansas, Andy D. and Lena Ens of Reedley, Calif., Jacob D. and Gretchen Ens of Buhler, Kan., Anna Ens of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; one sister, Mrs. J. B. Ratzlaff; four brothers, David M. Doerksen and George M. Doerksen of Reedley, Calif., Isaac and William Loewen of Meade, Kansas; 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

We mourn not as those who have no hope but in the confidence found in the passage of Scripture cabled to us by our sister in Ethiopia upon the news of mother's passing: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 15:57) — The Family.