KATIE (ENNS) ENS -

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KATIE (ENNS) ENS 1939 - 2000 Surrounded by her family and sustained by her faith, Katie (Enns) Ens passed peacefully from this world into the next on Saturday, May 6, 2000. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 40 years, Philipp R. Ens of Winkler; daughter Flori and Jamie MacIver and their children Emma and Johanna of Winnipeg; son Phillip and fiance Brigit Breiner of Stuttgart, Germany; daughter Johanna; and son Peter of Winnipeg. Also mourning her loss is her father Peter W. Enns of Winkler, sisters Erna Elias and Jane and Harold Peters, and brother Willie and Sharon Enns, all of Winkler. She will also be missed by her sisters and brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and her large circle of friends. She was predeceased by her mother Helena Enns in 1993, brother Harold in infancy, brother-in-law Peter Elias in 1995, her father-in-law Heinrich G. Ens in 1972 and mother-in-law Maria Ens in 1991. Katie Ens was born July 19, 1939, the second child of Peter and Helena Enns of Greenfarm, Man. She attended Greenfarm School and high school at the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, where she met the love of her life, Philipp R. Ens of Reinland, Man. They married on September 17, 1960 and spent most of the next 40 years in Winkler. Together Katie and Phil, with other members of her family, built a recreational vehicle manufacturing company, Triple E Canada Ltd. Although she was busy with the responsibilities of a young family in the early years of the business, she contributed considerably to the growth and development of Triple E, adding her flair for design and eye for colour to the production of travel trailers, motorhomes, and mobile homes. In 1985, Katie fulfilled a life long dream by becoming a registered nurse, after moving to Winnipeg for two years to study at Red River College. She used her professional skills as a home care nurse and as a staff nurse at the Salem Personal Care Home in Winkler. Katie was a strong person with many talents, abilities, and accomplishments. She was a world traveler, competitive Scrabble and backgammon player, and an avid reader. She was a multi-faceted musician - a piano teacher, church organist, choir accompanist and choir singer. Her biggest expression of her musical gifts was in the context of the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, where she accompanied church choirs and volunteered as an organist for nearly four decades. She also accompanied her children as they became accomplished musicians and singers. Recently, her musical passion was singing in the Faith and Life Womens Choir, from which she drew emotional strength and spiritual nourishment. Katie expressed her artistic nature through her hands, whether knitting, sewing, drawing, or more recently, through quilting. She loved to create, plan, and dream, and was responsible for designing many quilts for various organizations and individuals. She combined her design skills, eye for colour and love of beauty in her dream house, which she built while she was fighting cancer. Katie had her first battle with cancer in 1986, and then enjoyed a decade of good health. Her cancer recurred in 1996, and for four years she fought hard, never allowing the disease which was attacking her body destroy her spirit. Even in the last four months, when she had limited physical ability, Katie didnt allow the cancer to define her, but instead lived her life fiercely and courageously, creating a new definition of how to live with a serious illness. One of her greatest joys in life was being a grandmother to Emma Kate and Johanna Jewel. She played with them enthusiastically, loved them passionately, and passed on to them her appreciation of music and love of beauty. Her biggest regret during her illness was her lack of energy for her girls. As short as their time together was, Katie worked hard in ensuring Emma and Johanna would have a lifetime of memories of their beloved Oma. Although her last months were difficult physically and emotionally, Katie often remarked how happy she was to have time to die. She received visitors graciously and humbly, telling each person the qualities she appreciated in them and making amends where she felt it was necessary. She was sustained by her Christian faith until the end, and was an encouragement to many as she faced death honestly and openly. A celebration of the life of Katie Ens will take place at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 12 at the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church, Winkler, Man., with burial to follow at Winkler Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith and Life Communications, Womens Chorus Ministry, 200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R3P 2J1; or the P.W. Enns Family Foundation, Box 1231, Winkler, MB R6W 4C4. All gifts to the foundation can be directed to the charity of your choice. Sincere thanks to doctors and nurses at the Winkler and Morden Hospitals, as well as St. Boniface and Health Sciences, for their care. Special thanks to friend Dr. Rob Brown, Dr. Robert Menzies, and especially nurse Linda Penner, who cared for Katie in her last hours. And now I am ready to keep on running, When the sun rises beyond the borderlands of death, I already see the mountain ridges in the heavenly forest where, beyond every Essence, a new essence waits. You, music of my later years, I am called by a sound and colour which are more and more perfect. Do not die out, fire. Enter my dreams, love, Be young forever, seasons of the earth. - from Winter, by Czeslav Milosq Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler, (204) 325-5534 in charge of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2000