Jacob P. Enns
1930 – 2008
It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of a husband, our dad, grandpa, great grandpa, brother, uncle and dear friend, on Friday June 6, 2008 at Boundary Trails Health Centre, Jacob P. Enns of Winkler, MB formerly of Friedensruh aged 77 years. Yet we rejoice that he is with his Lord and Saviour free from suffering and pain.
ad was born to Peter K. and Susanna (nee Funk) Enns on November 25, 1930 in the village of Friedensruh, MB where he spent his childhood and teenage years. Dad was baptized in May 1952 in the Sommerfelder Church and on October 26, 1952 married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Ginther.
Dad and mom spent most of their years in the village of Friedensruh raising their 12 children; 4 daughters and 8 sons. Dad was a hardworking man in his younger years working on the farm with his dad working on the farm by growing and hauling sugar beets and in the winter, hauling fuel for Shell Canada. After his fuel hauling days, dad spent many winters hauling water for his family and others as well as making ice rinks in Friedensruh and many other villages. Dad spent several years on the school board and later driving school bus and was a councilor for 1 term.
In his years, Dad had many challenges. In 1965, he suffered 3rd degree burns in a tragic fire while hauling fuel. Then in November 1976, dad and Ernie were moving an old barn when it collapsed and trapped both of them. Ernie managed to free himself and even though he was injured with a broken foot, he managed to pull dad out and drive the standard truck home to get help. Then in 1995, dad had surgery to replace the leaky valves in his heart. After the open heart surgery, dad was never the same.
Dad had a great love for the outdoors and animals but his greatest love and passion was music. Many days and nights were spent singing and playing his Martin Guitar and any other musical instrument he could master. The Enns family played their music at many events throughout the Pembina Valley.
Due to dad’s failing health and hearing, mom and dad had an auction and sold their home in Friedensruh and moved to Winkler. The one and only highlight for dad during the sale was to find that the Martin Guitar that he loved to play was an antique collector’s item. Dad and the family were surprised to find that the guitar was valued at over $16,000. This gave dad more peace of mind for the move and many stories to tell.
On December 11, 2007, dad was admitted to Boundary Trails Health Centre where he spent the remainder of his days.
He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife, Martha of Winkler; 4 daughters and their families, Jean and Percy Brown, Wilma and Gil Gauthier, Karen Smart and her fiancé, Zeb all from Winnipeg, Pauline and Dale Schellenberg from Winkler; 7 sons and their families, Percy and Carol, Ernie and Wendy, Wayne and Cheryl all from Winkler, Alvin of Plum Coulee, Ken and friend, Shelli from Carman, Roger and Mary of Friedensruh, Jake and Colleen of Morden. He had 24 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren whom he was very proud of. He is also survived by 4 sisters, 2 brothers, in-laws, nieces and nephews and many friends.
He was predeceased by 1 son, Raymond (1978); granddaughter, Carley (2001); his parents, 1 sister, Susan and 2 brothers, Peter and Ervin.
Funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 2:00 pm at Faith Evangelical Bible Church in Winkler, MB with Rev. Mike Comtois officiating. Interment followed at Westridge Memorial Gardens.
Dad will be dearly missed by all. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Boundary Trails Health Centre and a special thank you to Roberta and Dallas during his last few days.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jacob’s memory to either Boundary Trails Health Centre Box 2000 Winkler, MB R6W 1H8 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of MB 6 Donald St. Suite 200, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6.
Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.