Ensz, Roland Herbert (1930-2014)

Biographical sketch from funeral program:

Birth date: 1930 Jun 13

Roland Herbert Ensz

June 13, 1930 - November 6, 2014

Roland Herbert Ensz was born June 13, 1930 in Newton, Kansas to Henry R. and Olga Richert Ensz. His twin sister, Sara Marie, preceded him in death on the 10th of March 1955. He was baptized in the Bethel College Mennonite Church on May 29, 1944.

Roland attended Newton Public Schools graduating in May of 1948. He then attended Bethel College. In August of 1951 he was drafted into the US Army serving two years in the Medical Corp. Returning to Bethel, he graduated with a B. S. degree - double major in Industrial Arts and Social Science in May of 1954. That fall he began his teaching career of 41 years. In 1995 he retired from 27 years of teaching Social Science at Butler County Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.

Roland had a lifelong interest in farming. He was active in the Newton High School FFA, Boy Scout Troop 123 and Lucky 13 4H Club. Beginning at age 13 he spent the summers working on various farms. Graduate school and marriage to Heidi Friesen on Sept. 5, 1954 broke the farming cycle. Heidi graduated from Nurses Training on Saturday night, Sunday morning they were married and on Monday morning Roland began his teaching career. Farming was picked up some years later starting north of Sedgwick, then south of Newton and eventually north of Potwin, Kansas. Their two sons, Daniel born in 1955 and Quentin in 1956, provided the farm help for various crop and livestock enterprises.

Other activities included serving as a church usher, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the North Newton City Council, Darlington Township Treasurer, Remington School Board member and Plum Grove Township Sexton.

Roland enjoyed many years of collecting, buying, selling, and trading stamps, coins, postcards, railroad items and Mennonite Mutual Fire Ins. Co. items, activities in which he made many new friends over the years.

During their 60 years of marriage, Roland and Heidi enjoyed family vacations and college Social Science conference trips. It was with great pleasure that he watched his two sons go through college and choose careers of their own.

The family grew with the addition of two daughters-in-law, Debbie (wife of Quentin) and Kathy (wife of Daniel), and seven grandchildren: Brian, Alison, Audrey, Todd, Kevin, Collin and Sara. Added to that next generation were Andrew Sagmoe (husband of Alison) and Rebecca Wiebe (wife of Brian) and their two children, Roland's great grandchildren, Ellie and James.

Roland died suddenly this past Thursday, November 6, soon after finishing one of the things he loved to do, helping with morning chores on the farm.