Frank Ens
Peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Boyne Lodge, Frank went to be with his Lord, and to join his beloved daughter Beverly.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Shirley (née Schellenberg); his sons Darrell (Larisa) and Darcy (Wendy); and his grandchildren Riley, Campbell (Emily), Nate, Brianna (Owen), Luke, Jackson, and Kaitlyn. Frank is also survived by his siblings Bill Ens, John (Diane) Ens, Helen (Bill) Neufeld, and sister-in-law Betty Enns. He will be dearly missed by Shirley’s family: Gladys Doell, Ernie (Marilyn) Schellenberg, Walter (Helen) Schellenberg, Alice (Abe) Elias, and Clara Griffiths, along with many friends, nieces, and nephews.
Frank was predeceased by his parents, Wilhelm and Margaret Ens; his daughter Beverly; his brother Con Enns; his in-laws Sadie Ens, Dan Doell, and Bob Griffiths; his niece Freida Sewchuk; and his nephew Jerry Enns.
Frank was born in Bluebird, Saskatchewan in 1937. In 1949, the family moved to a farm near Austin, Manitoba. Frank and Shirley met at a country youth group event and began their courtship after moving to Winnipeg. They were married in June 1962.
Frank envisioned a life beyond the city and bought property in Oak Bluff. Together they built their first home, started a family, and became active in the community by hosting church activities, helping at the rink, and fixing cars for anyone in need. In 1973, while still at Osborne Auto, he began the era of Ens Elias & Sons with farmland in the Sperling area.
In 1979, Frank and Shirley expanded the farm and moved to the country. His 25-year career at Osborne Auto ended and he began selling farm machinery for Golden Plains Agro. Frank was always the ultimate repair man, fixing everything in their home as well as the farm machinery. In 2002, Frank and Shirley moved to Carman and built their retirement home.
Frank was known for his meticulously landscaped, park-like yard. He enjoyed projects and had a passion for helping people, especially his boys. He loved good food and most of all anything from Shirley’s kitchen. As a dad, he supported his children’s passions, whether it be singing with Bev at the piano, watching Darrell’s hockey games, skiing with Darcy at La Riviere, or fixing anything with wheels. He treasured his time spent with his grandchildren from camping trips, rollkuchen meals, playing in the Mexican waves, tuning up the go-cart, and never missed a game or concert.
Frank was a quiet evangelist who served wherever needed. He worked behind the scenes as Homewood Mennonite Church treasurer, helped with maintenance, sang in the choir, ushered, and even washed dishes. His heart for service extended into retirement, faithfully volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service for many years initially as a job site foreman and later transitioning to Shirley’s kitchen teammate.
Through his years battling Parkinson’s, Frank never changed who he was. His gentle nature, patience, contentment, and grateful spirit were a testament to his character, and he never lost the strength to give a firm, lasting hug as his quiet reminder of his love and appreciation.
Papa leaves behind a legacy of loving Jesus, loving his family, and serving others faithfully.
The family would like to thank the Staff at Boyne Lodge for the care of Frank over the past year and half. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank or Youth For Christ - Carman.
Peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Boyne Lodge, Frank went to be with his Lord, and to join his beloved daughter Beverly.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Shirley (née Schellenberg); his sons Darrell (Larisa) and Darcy (Wendy); and his grandchildren Riley, Campbell (Emily), Nate, Brianna (Owen), Luke, Jackson, and Kaitlyn. Frank is also survived by his siblings Bill Ens, John (Diane) Ens, Helen (Bill) Neufeld, and sister-in-law Betty Enns. He will be dearly missed by Shirley’s family: Gladys Doell, Ernie (Marilyn) Schellenberg, Walter (Helen) Schellenberg, Alice (Abe) Elias, and Clara Griffiths, along with many friends, nieces, and nephews.
Frank was predeceased by his parents, Wilhelm and Margaret Ens; his daughter Beverly; his brother Con Enns; his in-laws Sadie Ens, Dan Doell, and Bob Griffiths; his niece Freida Sewchuk; and his nephew Jerry Enns.
Frank was born in Bluebird, Saskatchewan in 1937. In 1949, the family moved to a farm near Austin, Manitoba. Frank and Shirley met at a country youth group event and began their courtship after moving to Winnipeg. They were married in June 1962.
Frank envisioned a life beyond the city and bought property in Oak Bluff. Together they built their first home, started a family, and became active in the community by hosting church activities, helping at the rink, and fixing cars for anyone in need. In 1973, while still at Osborne Auto, he began the era of Ens Elias & Sons with farmland in the Sperling area.
In 1979, Frank and Shirley expanded the farm and moved to the country. His 25-year career at Osborne Auto ended and he began selling farm machinery for Golden Plains Agro. Frank was always the ultimate repair man, fixing everything in their home as well as the farm machinery. In 2002, Frank and Shirley moved to Carman and built their retirement home.
Frank was known for his meticulously landscaped, park-like yard. He enjoyed projects and had a passion for helping people, especially his boys. He loved good food and most of all anything from Shirley’s kitchen. As a dad, he supported his children’s passions, whether it be singing with Bev at the piano, watching Darrell’s hockey games, skiing with Darcy at La Riviere, or fixing anything with wheels. He treasured his time spent with his grandchildren from camping trips, rollkuchen meals, playing in the Mexican waves, tuning up the go-cart, and never missed a game or concert.
Frank was a quiet evangelist who served wherever needed. He worked behind the scenes as Homewood Mennonite Church treasurer, helped with maintenance, sang in the choir, ushered, and even washed dishes. His heart for service extended into retirement, faithfully volunteering with Mennonite Disaster Service for many years initially as a job site foreman and later transitioning to Shirley’s kitchen teammate.
Through his years battling Parkinson’s, Frank never changed who he was. His gentle nature, patience, contentment, and grateful spirit were a testament to his character, and he never lost the strength to give a firm, lasting hug as his quiet reminder of his love and appreciation.
Papa leaves behind a legacy of loving Jesus, loving his family, and serving others faithfully.
The family would like to thank the Staff at Boyne Lodge for the care of Frank over the past year and half. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank or Youth For Christ - Carman.