MURRAY GERALD ENNS

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MURRAY GERALD ENNS Murray Gerald Enns was born April 16, 1942, only son and third child of Ben and Lydia Enns, of the Kronsgart District, north-east of Winkler, MB. He was raised on the farm and received his first eight grades of schooling in Rosewell School. He studied Grade 9 by correspondence and received his high school education in Winkler. Following high school graduation in 1961 he attended Winkler Bible Institute for two years and then went on to the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in 1968. Murray married Linda Liggett of Winnipeg on July 5, 1968 and they begun their life together in Winkler. Together they welcomed into their home, two chosen children, Lisa in 1971 and David in 1974. In the first years of their marriage, Murray worked at Kroeker Farms, but later returned to the family farm from a desire to eventually work on his own land. He spent his life farming in partnership with his father and was doing this to the moment of his death. To Murray farming was also a partnership with the Lord, because man can only do so much, but "the Lord giveth the increase." He was meticulous in his planning and was constantly studying new methods of production and ways in which to maximize his return. For Murray, his Christian faith was lived in a quiet and gentle way. He accepted Christ as his personal Saviour as a young child and was baptized in August of 1958 and became a member of the Kronsgart MB Church. He later moved his church membership to Winkler. Over the years, he assumed many responsibilities within his church and he was also chairman of the Provincial MB Conference Missions and Church Extension board. Murray loved to sing. He felt his greatest musical privilege was as the bass singer with the Perfect Peace Quartet. This group has sung together for 19 years. He received much joy in being able to share the story of Christ with many, many people in a wide range of places and situations. Murray was a member of the board of the Garden Valley School Division for almost 19 years. He also served on the Pensions Committee of the Manitoba Association of School Trustees. Other community involvements included completing income tax returns for any who asked, teaching Driver Education and serving with the Winkler Chamber of Commerce and the Stanley Agricultural Society. Murrays interests included the outdoors, all growing things, music, stamp collecting, reading farm related material and particularly his Bible and inspirational material. Murray developed Type 2 diabetes in 1989 and took his condition very seriously, watching his diet and exercising whenever possible. Murray was always calm, steady and diplomatic, never raising his voice, cautiously thinking things through carefully. Family was extremely important to him. In November Murrays family was together for his daughter Lisas wedding to Martin Hafenbrak. It was a special joy to Murray to be able to give his daughter in marriage, and to sing a duet at the ceremony with his sister. On Monday, May 20, Murray passed away doing what he loved to do, in the place where he loved to do it, and in the arms of his father. The suddenness of his passing has shocked us all but today we join together to celebrate his life of service. Murray is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Lisa and Martin Hafenbrak; son David; his parents, Ben and Lydia Enns; three sisters, June and Henry Friesen of Penticton, BC, Hazel and Bob Reimer of the Toronto area, Mabel and Hans Kikat of Hanover, Germany and their families; as well as his mother-in-law Florence Liggett. Viewing will be Saturday, May 25, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler, and at the church prior to the service. Funeral service will be Sunday, May 26 at 2:30 p.m. at the Winkler M.B. Church, Pastor Ted Goossen and Pastor Victor Neufeld officiating. Interment will follow at the Winkler Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Manitoba M.B. Conference Missions and Church Extension. Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements, 204-325-4201

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 25, 2002