Enns, Cornelius J. (1892-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Mar 03 p. 33

Birth date: 1892 July 29

text of obituary:

CORNELIUS J. ENNS

Cornelius J. Enns was born on July 29, 1892 to Johann J. and Katharina (nee Krahn) Enns in Alexanderthal, in the Fuerstenland settlement of south Russia. As the top student in his elementary school class, he was offered the opportunity to train for tho teaching profession: however, he was needed on the family farm and he declined. At lhe age of 19 he was born again and baptism on May 26. 1913 led lo membership in the Olgafeld Mennonite Brethren Church. Four years in the Forestry Service during Lhe First World War were followed by mar• riage to Maria Koslowsky on October 20, 1919. Life during and after the Civil War became increasingly difficult, and the Ennses, after a two-year wait for permits. joined lhe many families fleeing to Canada. Arriving in 1926, they farmed at several Manitoba locations and in Akron, Pa .. for a number of years.

In 1944, the family moved to Yarrow, 8.C., the Ennses· home for 27 years. Tragedy struck in 1952 with the drowning of their only surviving son, .Joh n. A son a nd daughter had died in Russia. and five daughters remain-ed. Mr. Enns' health foiled with time. and in 1971, ___ _ following a stroke, they moved to Vancouver. The Menno Hos• pital in Abbotsford became his home in 1973, where he remained until his passing on January 3, 1978 ot the age of 85 years.

He is remembered by his family as a kind. gentle. loving husband and fothcr. He leoves them with hearts full of happy memories. He taught by the example of his life the meaning of Christ's teaching in John 14: 13. Love for the '.\1ennonite Brethren Church led him to support and pray fo r its leaders. The funeral service wns held on January 6 in the Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church.

Surviving are his beloved wife. Maria: five daughters, Anna (Mrs. John) Friesen of Yarrow, Sue (Mrs. Henry) Rempel of Van-couver, Mary (Mrs. Abe) Klassen of Rich• mond. Agatha (Mrs. Hank) Ratzlaff of Clearbrook, and Kathy (Mrs. Len) Unruh of Blaine, Wash.; 22 grandchildren; nine great-gran dchildrcn; one sister, Anno (Mrs. J ake) l«limer; one sister-in-law, Anno (Mrs. Peter) Enns of Winnipeg: and many friends/