Egon Isaac Enns

Obituary

On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at the age of 87, Egon Isaac Enns passed peacefully. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 55 years, Erna; daughter Jacqueline Vivian Ruth Anderson; son Carl Enns and daughter-in-law Donna Martens. He will be sadly missed by his brother Ron (Helen) Enns, sister Leona (Don) Crampain, sister-in-law Anna Enns, and special cousin Erwin (Lillian) Enns and their families. Egon was predeceased by his parents Abe (1993) and Agnes (1997); brother Bruno (2008); sisters Ina (1946) and Elona (1948); one niece, one nephew and two nephews-in-law. Along with all his extended family, he will be greatly missed by numerous friends and acquaintances.

Dad was born in Oak Lake, Manitoba and his parents moved to a farm near Griswold in 1945. Education was important to Dad. During his early years he attended Hagyard, Oakwood, Sanhurst, Griswold and MCI schools. He graduated from the Manitoba Teacher’s College, Canadian Mennonite Bible College (where his daughter was born) and attended several other institutes of learning including Bethel College in Newton, Kansas (where his son was born).

One of Dad’s many passions was Indigenous-settler relations which took him to various northern locations such as Pauingassi, God’s Narrows, Little Grand Rapids, Matheson Island and Pine Dock. More recently he taught at the Keeseekoowenin reserve. With his young family he spent some years at Bloodvein and Jackhead before moving to Winnipeg, British Columbia and southern Manitoba.

Together with Mom they developed many close friendships. Dad always found time to help anyone who needed it and spent many hours fixing cars (including the family’s 1958 Chevy station wagon), as well as practically anything else. Dad loved to travel and vacations often revolved around church conferences in Canada or the United States. As a treat to family and friends, Mom and Dad shared their timeshare at Elkhorn Resort.

As well as enjoying camping and nature, Dad had an intense love of reading as testified by the many bookshelves he had. He volunteered his services at Camps with Meaning as pastor, maintenance, and cook and later preached sermons at Bethel Place, Riverton and others. In his years while he was legally blind, he volunteered doing income tax. Dad will be remembered for his generosity by many people.

His verse of choice in his last days was “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). To his final breath he was blessing others and wondering what the Lord would have him still do.

Cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.