Enns, Abram P. (1886-1970)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1970 Apr 3 p. 26

Birth date: 1886 Jun 03

text of obituary:

ABRAM P. ENNS

Abram P. Enns, oldest son of Peter G. and Maria Enns, was born Jun e 3, 1886 in Ti egenhagen, south Russia. He spent his early years there, attended s'chool and as a youth of 19 rea lized his lost condition and experienced the new birth. He was baptized upon his faith by Adolf Reimer and joined what w as then known as the Allianz Church. This became a significant turningpoint in his life. Of particular he'lp to him at that time was the teaching ministry of a loca l teacher, Johann Toews. In 1908 he was conscripted for a threeyear term in the forestry service. Fo·I·lowing his time of service he fo·und a life's partner in Helena Konrad, whom he married on November 23, 1912. Their hopes w ere shortlived when the beginning of the war resulted in conscription for Mr. Enns for a further three years of service. This time it meant leaving behind his wife and two small chi,ldren. He relturned aga'in to his family in 1917 at the cO'nclusion of the war and th e beginning of the revolution. Diffi'cult times followed for the family as they lived through lawlessness with the country, famine and removal of Christian teachers from the schools . When the emigration began in 1923 the fam ily decided to move as well . Wi,th seven small chHdren, ranging in age from 11 years to 10 days, they ventured forth on July 13, 1924, arriving in Winkler, Manito'ba on August 11. That fall they were able to purchase a farm at laSalle, where he remained until 1956. The early years were difficult; there was no church in the area and so meetings had to be held in the home; illnesses had to be contended with. Bu,t there was much evidence of God's grace also. Mr. Enns always helped where he could, both in the community and the church. He carried a deep concern for the spiritua'i and educational needs of his family. He retired with his wife to Winnipeg in 1956 and had lived there since. On March 7, after several years of much suffering, the lord called him home. He is survived by his wife Helena; six sons, Peter and wi·fe Ann, Winnipeg, Abram and wife Emma, Domain, Jacob and wife EHzabeth, Oak Bluff, Jo·hn and wife Sonia, Toronto, Harry and wife Terry, Winnipeg, Nick and wife Beverly, Vancouver; three daughters, Mrs. Corny (Helen) Wall, LaSalle, Mrs. Ben (Mary) Wall, Winnipeg, and Mrs. Peter (Agaitha) Rempel, Winnipeg; as we<\! as three brothers, Henry and N'icolai of Winnipeg, and Jacob of Virg,H, and two sisters, Mrs. Jacob (Sarah) Penner of Port Rowan, Ont., and Mrs. N.S. (Katherine) Astakoff of St. Petersburg, Florida.