Ens, Jacob Leonard (1894-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1976 Feb 20 p. 31

Birth date: 1894 Mar 19

text of obituary:

JACOB LEONARD ENS

Born in Nikolaipol, South Russia on March 19, 1894, Jacob Leonard Ens of Vancouver passed away on December 12. At the age of 16 he was baptized in the Dnieper River and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church in Einlage. After high school he attended the Chortitza teacher training institute (Seminar), but his plans for further education in pharmacy were interrupted by the First World War.

After marrying Anny Peters on April 4, 1922, Mr. Ens emigrated to Canada. His wife joined him six months later. After completing high school to learn English, he managed stores in Saskatchewan and Chauvin, Alberta. In 1943 he moved to his own business in North Kildonan, Manitoba. Here he started an English Sunday school on Sunday afternoons in the North Kildonan MB Church and this group became the nucleus for the present River East Church. The Ens family moved to Vancouver in 1947. His wife, Anny, passed away in 1967. In 1969 he married Miss Charlotte (Lottie) Fast.

Mr. Ens' love for Christ, his Bible knowledge, speaking ability and love of music opened many avenues of service. Throughout his life he taught Sunday school and adult Bible classes. He suffered for many years from ill health and a sudden heart failure on December 10 led to his passing.

He is survived by his wife, Lottie; three children and their families, Hilda (Mrs. Henry) Rogalsky, and two sons, Alvin and Harold; and nine grandchildren.