Louise (Unger) Enns was born October 20, 1935 to Leonhard Unger and Helene Krause from Einlage: one of the Mennonite settlements in the Chortiza area of the USSR – now the Ukraine – on the west side of Dnieper River.
In February 1938 – Leonhard was taken to Siberia.
In October 1943 – Helene and 3 kids (Herb, Vally & Louise) went to East Germany with the retreating German army.
In January 1946, thanks to God’s sheltering hand and Helene’s wit, they crossed to West Germany at Checkpoint Charlie.
Summer of 1948, saw them accepted to emigrate to Canada, sponsored by Helene’s sister Elizabeth & John Penner, so they left Camp Fallingbostel (army base used by Red Cross to process refugees). They sailed from Kiel, West Germany in September 1948 on the S.S. Heintzelman for the 9-day trip to Halifax (mom and grandma nauseous the whole trip). Then a 4-day train trip to Winnipeg… they were shocked at the condition of the Canadian trains (vs. Germany) and wondered where all the people were! They arrived filthy, hungry and since it was Sunday morning, went straight to church!
Mom spent one year living with Aunt Elizabeth on the farm in Springstein, going to school and learning English; while Helene, Herb & Vally went to Winnipeg to work in a sewing factory. They were able to repay their sponsorship debt to the Penner’s and bought a home in 1950, renting rooms to help pay the mortgage. Mom came to Winnipeg 1 year later in 1949 and received a few years school in Canada, finishing grade 10. Mom started working at Great West Life at age 16 as a summer job and quit school when she was offered a full-time job and got to wear a suit every day. From age 14, mom’s home chores included shopping for daily groceries and cooking for everyone since everybody worked full time.
Mom met dad at South-end MB Church, and they married on August 6, 1955.
Dad & mom lived & worked in Winnipeg for the first few years. In 1960, with Jake & Pete, they bought and moved to the farm, where mom ran the house for the Enns ‘boys’ plus her own 4 kids. They moved to Twain Drive in Westwood in 1967 when Peter married Gerlinde. In 1970 they designed and built their last house on Navin Road.
Mom worked outside the home at Lions Manor and Eastview Community Church as well as being dad’s Executive Assistant for his many endeavors. They travelled extensively.
After dad’s accident in 1986, mom’s full-time job became primary caregiver to dad. They sold Navin in 1987 and moved into Stornoway at 1880 Henderson Hwy. – where mom lived until now.
Mom was predeceased by Helene in 1979; Herb in 1988; Vally in 1997 and Hal in 2012. Her 8 children, 15 grandchildren and nearly 9 great grandchildren will miss her dearly.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all – Proverbs 31
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Louise Enns Tuesday March 12th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba