Ensz, Elizabeth Goossen (1879-1940)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Jul 3 p. 3

Birth date: 1879 Apr 20

text of obituary:

Mrs. Elizabeth Ensz.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ensz, the daughter of Jacob J. and Anna Goossen, was born April 20, 1879, at Marion, S. Dak.

Her father was drowned in a flood in the attempt to save some of the relatives who were in danger, before the daughter was born, so she never got to know her earthly father. Her mother then married William Harms, who became her father and provider. She had the blessing to have her dear mother, who attained an age of 89 years, with her till just nine months before her death.

She was married to Abraham D. Ensz April 17, 1898, and thus shared with him joy and sorrow for over 42 years.

January 7, 1940, they moved to Meno, Okla., where they settled on a homestead five miles southeast of Meno, where she spent the rest of her days.

June 14, 1914, she was baptized upon her faith in Jesus Christ by Rev. J. B. Epp, and joined the New Hopedale Mennonite church and remained a true and faithful member.

Wednesday morning, May 15, she took seriously ill from which she did not recover. Before and during her sickness she felt that she would not live long and prepared to go to her heavenly home. She breathed her last Sunday morning June 2, 1940, and attained the age of 61 years 1 month and 12 days.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, and the following children: Hulda (Mrs. Peter Wiens), Lahoma; John, Enid; Anna, Mary, Daniel, Henry, Mathilda and Josephine, all at home; Elisabeth (Mrs. Abe Koehn), Meno; Helen (Mrs. Edd Pankratz), Hydro; William, Meno; and Louise (Mrs. Alvin Frey), Flagstaff, Ariz.

Besides the husband and children she leaves five grandchildren, one brother, Jacob Goosen [sic Goossen], Marion, S. Dak.; one half-brother, Frank Harms, Enid; and one half-sister, Dallas, Oregon, and many friends and relatives.

Funeral was held, Wednesday, June 5, conducted by the pastor Rev. H. U. Schmidt, assisted by Rev. Seibel, Enid, and Evangelist Albert J. Unruh.

We have lost our dear, sweet mother,
She no more on earth shall roam,
And there'll never be another,
Who can take her place at home.

Mother's life was true and faithful
And her heart was filled with love;
Trusting Jesus as her Saviour,
Till she joined Him up above.

Some day we shall go to meet her
Where there'll be no more goodbyes,
We can think of nothing sweeter
Than our meeting in the skies.

O dear mother, how we'll miss you
But no more on earth you'll roam;
Some sweet day we'll all be with you
In that bright eternal home.

The Mennonite obituary: 1940 Jun 25 p. 13