Enz, Lydia Toews (1890-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 May 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1890 Aug 4

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for Mrs. Henry (Lydia) Enz were held Monday afternoon at the First Mennonite Church with Rev. Robert Suderman officiating. Mrs. Enz died may 14 at the Kansas Christian home at the age of 80. The former Lydia Toews, she was born here and spent her entire life in this community. Surviving are her husband of the home on southwest Third Street; one daughter, Mrs. John Harms of Augusta, two sons, Rev. Jacob j. Enz of Elkhart, Ind. and Arthur H. of Newton; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters and three brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jun 3 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. HENRY ENZ

Lydia (Toews) Enz began her life's journey on Aug. 4, 1890, as the oldest child of Jacob F. and Marie Ewert Toews near McLain, Harvey County, Kansas. She received her grade school education in country schools near Newton and Hillsboro, and attended Bethel College Academy.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith at Bethel College Church on March 31, 1908, by Rev. David Goerz. She was a member of First Mennonite Church, Newton.

On April 7, 1912 mother was joined in her life's journey by Henry Enz. They shared 59 years of life. To this marriage were born one daughter, Gertrude (Mrs. John Harms) of Augusta, Kan., and two sons, Jacob of Elkhart, Ind. and Arthur of Newton. Mother followed the activities of her children with loving concern and enlarged that love to include eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

On May 14, 1971, after an extended illness, Mother answered the call of her Lord to service in His presence, a service for which she has been prepared by a patient, persistent and devoted walk with the Lord.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:4 and 5). These words given to mother and father at their wedding by Great-grandfather J. R. Toews helped to give to mother's life the mark of a pilgrim of Jesus Christ that will ever call us, her husband and children, to follow the Lord with her.

Brothers and sisters who have gathered around the immediate family in loving support are Walter Toews of Raytown, Mo. Mrs. Mary Claassen of Newton, Jacob E. Toews of Moundridge, Kan., Mrs. Elma Stohl of Castle Rock, Wash., and Edward Toews of Halstead, Kan. Four preceded her in death: Albert Toews of Turtleford, Sask., and, in infancy, Otto, Martha, and Gertrude.

Probably one of mother's greatest joys beyond that of crocheting rugs for missionaries was to tell Sunday school classes of boys and girls how to see without eyes. In the last ten years of her pilgrimage she had learned Braille. The gospel song which she surely must be singing is:
Come to the Light, 'tis shining for thee,
      Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me;
Once I was blind, but now I can see
      The Light of the world is Jesus.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Jun 1 p. 367