Enns, Elizabeth Klassen (1887-1977)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Jan 20 p. 31

Birth date: 1887 Aug 18

text of obituary:

MRS. ELIZABETH ENNS

After a short period of illness, (Mrs.) Elizabeth Enns of Steinbach, Man., was called home on December 8, 1977. She was born on August 13, 1887 in Ekatarinoslav, Russia, the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Klassen. A happy and carefree childhood was saddened by the loss of her parents in her early youth. After moving to "Fuerstenland" she met Frank Enns, and they were married on January 1, 1909. Their marriage was very happy, but with the death of her husband in 1954 much of her joy in life was gone and she spent many lonely hours. However, the joy of the Lord was her constant strength. She had accepted him as her Saviour at the age of 21 years, and three years later was baptized. She was accepted into the Mennonite Brethren Church, of which she remained a faithful member until her death.

The early years of the Ennses' marriage were filled with hardship because of the Russian Revolution. They moved to Canada in 1926, settling on a farm at Lena, Manitoba. Here she had many opportunities as a minister's wife to show love and hospitality. She had a generous nature and always was willing to do what she could. Her special joy was that all her children have accepted the Lord. She received much comfort from Psalm 73:23-26. In 1938 the Ennses moved to Steinbach, Man., where they enjoyed happy years together in retirement.

Left to mourn are two sons and their wives, John and Louise of Steinbach and Peter and Grace of Windsor, Ont.; five daughters and their husbands, Anna and Peter Warkentin of Duncan, B.C., Elizabeth and Jake Wiebe of Steinbach, Helen and Peter Lepp of St. Catharines,. Qnt., Katie and Jake Thiessen of Victoria, B.C., Nettie and Frank Quiring of Winnipeg; 22 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law in Winnipeg, John and Gertrude Klassen; a sister, (Mrs.) Anna Enns of Winnipeg; a sister in Paraguay, Tina (Mrs. Peter) Klassen; and many friends.