HELEN ENNS

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HELEN ENNS Helen Enns passed away peacefully at Donwood Manor, in Winnipeg, on Friday, February 18, 2011. She was 97 years old. Helen was born on December 27, 1913 in the village of Golyshewo, in the Ufa region of Russia. Her early years were spent in Russia until her family emigrated to Mexico in 1924 and, then, to Canada in 1926 when she was 12 years old. Her formal education was often interrupted in Canada by her being needed to help out at home and she would in later years voice her regret at not having had the opportunity of a higher education. So the farm at Newton Siding, where she grew up with her parents and siblings, would form the framework for her education and there are many tales of the interest she took in animal husbandry which included nursing and caring for young animals that were brought into the basement of the farm house needing wounds stitched and broken limbs splinted. One neighbour was to comment, in German, Hier ist ein Doktor verloren ("Here is a doctor lost" or more loosely translated, Helen would have made an excellent doctor ). In the 1940's Helen would attend Winkler Bible School for three years and then in 1954 she took a one year LPN course at Concordia Hospital in Winnipeg where she stayed on staff until her retirement in 1978. Helen loved her work at the hospital and will always be remembered as a wonderful caregiver. The pride she took in her vocation might be reflected in an inscription she made on a watercolour painting she did in an art class at Donwood Manor. She did not sign it simply with her name Helen Enns, but, Helen Enns LPN. Caregiving was in her blood. Even while in personal care, herself, the past few years, the staff would comment that even with her memory gradually failing her and her body becoming more frail she still saw herself more as a staff member than one needing care herself. She loved nothing more than to be useful and soon came to have the reputation as the most efficient clothes folder in the residence when called upon to do some clothes folding on a wash day at the manor. Baptized upon the confession of her faith in the 1930's Helen would always hold her spiritual life and faith in God as the most precious thing in her life. On a more recent visit with her at Donwood Manor it was mentioned to her that although the sun was shining it was very cold outside. With her mind not being quite as attuned as it once was she commented that in spite of everything she thought it might rain. But rain or shine , she said, We must trust Him. He will be there to guide us. We must trust Him . She did repeat this quite a number of times through the course of our visit, but, we thought this to be a wonderfully comforting thought for her to be carrying with her at this stage in her life. Helen is survived by her brother Peter (Lydia), sisters-in-law Susie and Annie, and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her parents Bernhard and Elizabeth Enns, four brothers, George, John, Ben and Henry, sister Betty, and sister-in-law Helen. Funeral services will be held at Friends Funeral Services, 2146 Main St., Wpg., MB., on Thursday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will take place prior to the service. A light lunch will be served after the service (at Friends Funeral Services) with the interment to follow at Green Acres Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Family Life Network,(German Ministries) 225 Riverton Ave., Winnipeg, MB., R2L ON1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 19, 2011