ENNS Katherina

It is with sadness but also with joy that we announce the passing of our beloved mother KATHERINA (KATHE) ENNS on Monday, December 24th 2012. Although she will be missed, we rejoice in the knowledge that she is now in the presence of her Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, and is reunited with her husband Jake and daughter Margaret.
Katherina (Friesen) Enns was born on May 24th, 1923 to Johann and Gertrude Friesen, in the village of Schoenhorst, Ukraine. She was the oldest of 4 children, a big sister to three brothers, Jake, John and Abe. Her father was taken away to Siberia while the children were still young, so Kathe had to grow up quickly, having to take care of her brothers while her mother had to work. Although religion was forbidden by the government, her faith in God began at home and in youth gatherings. This faith carried her throughout her life.
Kathe and Jake grew up in the same village and began courting, but that was cut short when World War II broke out. Kathe along with her mother and brothers fled to Germany, while Jake was sent to war. In 1948 with the help of Mennonite Central committee the family was able to emigrate to Canada, arriving in Halifax and then took the train to Manitoba. She worked in a hospital in Winkler, Manitoba. When her mother met and married her step- father Isaak Martens from Saskatoon, mom moved with her mother and new husband to Saskatoon. In 1950 Kathe was finally able to re-connect with Jakob Enns and with the stipulation that they marry within a month of him coming to Canada, they did that.
Jake was able to find work in Coaldale, Alberta and so they moved there after getting married to begin their life together. In 1968 they moved to Lethbridge and that is where they stayed. To their family were added four children, Irene (1951), Hans (1955), Peter (1961), and Margaret (1963). They were active members of the Coaldale Mennonite Church and Kathe was involved with the Sunbeam Ladies Circle.
Kathe was well known for her gift of hospitality, as well as her famous “tortes”. Company was always welcome at their house, which usually included a delicious meal. She knitted, crocheted, and quilted many beautiful items that were given away or donated to the MCC Sales. Because Margaret was born with down’s syndrome, Kathe became involved in the Parent to Parent group, a support group for mothers with special needs children. The Special Olympic participants always looked forward to pails of cookies she sent with them on trips.
Kathe was predeceased by her parents, two brothers, John and Abe, as well as her beloved husband of 60 years Jakob in 2011, and her daughter Margaret in 2009.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Irene of Texas, Hans (Lindy) of Lethbridge, and Peter (Anni) of Winnipeg; as well as two grandsons Nathan (Katy) of Texas and Luke; special great-granddaughter Emma of Texas, and her brother Jake Friesen of Ontario.
We want to thank the staff and residents of the View where our parents lived for four years, as well as the staff at Edith Cavell for their love and care of our mom in the last five months of her life.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the COALDALE MENNONITE CHURCH, 2316 – 17 Street, Coaldale, with Pastor George Klassen, officiating. Interment will follow in the Coaldale Cemetery, Mennonite Section.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee, 210, 2946 – 32 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7 or to the Special Olympics Alberta, 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton Alberta T5M 3K6.
Send condolences at www.mbfunerals.com.
Martin Bros. Funeral Chapels Ltd.
610 – 4 Street South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4P3
Phone: (403)328-2361 Fax: (403)382-3623
Toll Free: 1-800-382-2901
www.mbfunerals.com