Ensz, Eva Voth (1871-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 Oct 21 p. 12

Birth date: 1871 Aug 16

text of obituary:

MRS. EVA ENSZ

Eva Ensz was born August 16, 1857 [sic 1871], the daughter of Andrew and Susanna Voth, in the Crimea, South Russia. Her parents and four sisters came to South Dakota, where one brother came to brighten the home, but at the age of 12 he was taken to the heavenly home. Two sisters died in South Dakota at an early age also.

The family endured poverty like many others. Eva helped her father with the farming and outdoor work, as she was always blessed with the best of health. She was baptized June 24, 1889, by Rev. Benjamin Schmidt in South Dakota. Eva was a faithful member of the Mennonite church until her departure, even though she was not always able to attend church in her later years. She was always true to her Confession of Faith. She became a member of the church at Ruff, Wash. on Dec. 29, 1910, and of the Menno Mennonite church July 14, 1929.

Jan. 3, 1892 she was united in marriage to Isaac Ensz, who preceded her in death June 26, 1935. They moved to a homestead near Weber, Wash., later to Tiflis, then to Lind, Wash. where her husband passed away. Eva then moved to Valleyford, which was to become her last home on this earth.

Eva and Isaac Ensz had five children: Isaac, Peter, Eva, Andrew and Jacob. Only two, Isaac and Eva are left.

Even though she was not rich in worldly goods, she had the greatest riches of all in Jesus. She was a cheerful soul and even when sick she thought of others first. When on her last sick bed she was heard to sing softly, "Jesus Lover of My Soul." Rev. Wiebe came to Valleyford and held Holy Communion with her, which she took with new confession of guilt, and in humility expressed her desire to be wholly His.

In 1927 Mr. and Mrs. Ensz went to Saskatchewan, Canada and brought back Caroline Ensz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dietrich Ensz, the parents having frozen to death in a snowstorm the winter before. Caroline was with them until 1942 when she left to make a home of her own.

She loved her children and grandchildren, and enjoyed her great grandson very much.

Mrs. Ensz suffered a severe stroke on Sept. 22, which paralyzed her right side and affected her speech also. On Oct. 1 she had another stroke which paralyzed her other side. The next day she was left without speech, but could recognize voices. That same night at 11:15 she went quietly to be with her Savior, whom she loved so dearly. She reached the age of 83 years, one month and 14 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure two children, a twin sister, three grandsons and one great grandson. Services were held on Oct. 6, 1954, at the Menno Mennonite church and cemetery near Ritzville, Wash.

The Mennonite obituary: 1955 Mar 22 p. 192