Enns, Katherine Koop (1882-1969)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1969 Oct 23 p. 11

Birth date: 1882 Sep 29

text of obituary:

KATHERINE KOOP ENNS

Katherine Koop Enns, daughter of Isaac W. and Katherine Wiens Koop, was born on Sept. 29, 1882, in Tashkent, Asia. In 1884 she came to the United States with her parents and her brother Isaac and they settled near Buhler, Kan. on a farm.

She grew up in the Buhler area and at the age of eight was placed in the home of some friends of the family. In this home she took great pride in being able to help with some of the family chores. At the age of 12 she became a member of the Frank Dyck family of Buhler, Kan. In this same year she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. On June 4, 1900, she was baptized upon her confession of faith and became a faithful member of the church. During all of these years she had a great love and respect for her family, both parents and brothers and sisters.

On April 18, 1901, she was married to Peter D. Enns of Buhler. Father passed away in 1944. This union was blessed with six children, three sons and three daughters. Our parents made their first home in Western Kansas. here they struggled for a few years and then decided to seek a better place. They were one of the earliest families to move to Reedley, Calif., arriving there in 1904. In January of 1919 they came to Shafter, Calif. and here mother maintained her home to the very end.

Our mother was the last surviving member of the original charter members of the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. She had a rich and fruitful life. She was a faithful Sunday school teacher for many years, and was active in the Ladies Missionary Society, serving as chairman for a number of years. Besides this, she was also faithful in supporting our father, who was the choir director for many years in several churches. She was fond of entertaining traveling ministers in her home.

Mother enjoyed comparatively good health most of her years. The last two weeks of her life she moved in with her daughter. When she seemed to grow rather weak the last days, we took her to the Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield. Sunday evening, Sept. 28, her soul went to meet its maker. She reached the age of 87 years less one day.

Those who remain to mourn her departure are three sons, John E. of Shafter, Herbert E. of San Clemente, Calif. and Paul of Bakersfield, Calif.; three daughters, Frieda, Mrs. D. W. Nikkel of Shafter, Katherine, Mrs. Edward Hamm of Glendale, Calif., and Elsie, Mrs. Henry Siemens of Santa Monica, Calif.; 18 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; four brothers, John Koop of Shafter, Tom Koop of Reedley, Jack Koop of Fresno, and Richard Koop of Porterville, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Reimer of Santa Clara, Calif. and Mrs. Margaret Reimer of Kingsburg, Calif.

We have lost a dear and precious treasurer in the person of our mother, but we look forward to meeting her again. — The Family.