ANDREW ENNS

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ANDREW ENNS 1922 - 2007 On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Andrew Enns, aged 85 years of Winkler went peacefully to his eternal home. He was born June 24, 1922 in Greenfarm and attended school there. He completed his grade 11 in Winkler, often commuting the five miles by bicycle. During the Second World War, he worked as a CO in the lumber camp at Bowsman River in winter, and, in summer at Manitoba Sugar in Winnipeg and on his grandfather's farm. In 1942 he met Elnora Siemens in Horndean. They were married in 1945, four days after the war ended. Andrew grew up in a very musical family and the love of music was always part of him. He loved playing with his dad, his brothers, his uncles and friends on Sunday afternoons at his grandparents' home, at weddings, church and other special events. He played piano by ear, but his favourite instrument was always the saxophone. He was a farmer for many years in the Greenfarm, Winkler and Horndean areas. He specialized in growing vegetable crops for the Winkler and Morden canneries and growing sugarbeets. Farming, however, was always combined with the construction, moving and bridge building business which he operated together with his dad, uncles and cousins. Later, he formed Ensco Homes with his dad and brothers. Andrew and Elnora were founding members of Grace Mennonite Church, from concept to construction, and served their church faithfully until it became too physically difficult to do so. Their compassion, desire and ability to help others involved them in many volunteer projects, including MCC, MDS and Habitat for Humanity. He was a builder, she was kitchen queen. Between them, they were a prize catch for any group of volunteers. He was a man of few words with great integrity, a friend to many, an enemy of none. With quiet dignity, he faced life. With that same quiet dignity, we saw him face the end of life, along with the frustration only those can know who have always looked after others, and now can't but would still like to. His prayers were, first and foremost, for the spiritual welfare of his loving and extended family, and the church. His prayers will be greatly missed by those who were blessed by them. Andrew and Elnora loved to travel, visiting friends along the way, playing cards and eating dessert. In his later years, he really liked to play golf with his friends and family. If things were slow, he played two or three balls at once, just to keep things interesting. Motorcycles, a part of his early life, later became another favourite pastime he and Elnora enjoyed. He will be missed by Elnora, his loving wife of 62 years, three children, Darrell and Verena Enns, Brandon, Debbie Enns and partner Glenn Nott, Winnipeg, Laurie and John Fehr, Brandon and special cousin Kathy and Bob Menzies, Morden; nine grandchildren, Deirdre Enns, Nathan Enns, Nola Prokipchuk, Ellery Friesen and Lisa, Stephanie and Chris Lockerby, Candace Fehr and Bryan, Heather, Meghan and Kate Menzies, eight great-grandchildren, Mazy Enns, Shaw Enns, Jessika and Brendan Prokipchuk, Brettin, Carter and Cohen Friesen, Riel Lockerby, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and many friends He was predeceased by a daughter, Bonnie in infancy; his parents, Isaac and Sarah Enns; brother Bill and sister Rosalie Carter. Public viewing will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007 from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wiebe Funeral Home 121 8th St. Winkler and at the church prior to the service. Funeral service will take place on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Mennonite Church 1350 Pembina Ave. in Winkler with interment to follow at Winkler Cemetery. A special thank you to our friends for their support and to the nurses and doctors at Boundary Trails Health Centre for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andrew's memory to Boundary Trails Health Centre Palliative Care Unit, Box 2000, Winkler, MB R6W 1H8 or M.D.S. (Mennonite Disaster Services) 134 Plaza Dr. Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9. Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler In care of arrangements, 325-4201 www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 22, 2007