Magdalene (Maggie) Enns (nee Janzen) passed away quietly in her sleep on November 12th, 2021 at Boundary Trails Hospital in Winkler. Her family was able to sit with her, singing songs, reading Scripture, sharing memories and praying. It was truly a gift to be able to spend these last hours together in this way.
Maggie was predeceased by her parents, Abram and Helene Janzen, and her husband Jake Enns. Also predeceasing her were siblings John (Daphne) Janzen, Anne (Rudy Boschman), Irma (Ernie Esau), Mary (Frank Bargen), Henry Janzen, sister-in-law Lydia Janzen, brother-in-laws Frank Bargen, Rudy Boschman and Ernie Esau. She is survived by her brothers Fred Janzen (Dorothy), Jack Janzen (Hilda) and Abe Janzen (Aggie), and sister-in-law Clara Janzen(Henry).
Maggie leaves behind her daughter Carolyn (Harry Tielmann), her sons Harvey (Vicenza), Barry (Angela), and Rod (Rena) along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Magdalene was born April 12, 1930 to Abram & Helene Janzen. She had a happy and carefree childhood. Of prime importance in her upbringing was the nurturing of spiritual truths and obedience. She attended Sunday School at Elm Creek MB Church. Maggie received Christ at DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School).
Elementary school years were spent at Dakota School just a half mile from their home. Recess and noon hour saw them playing games, baseball, kick-the can, which was their version of football. One year mom’s baseball team won all the games they played against neighboring schools, and also games played at the Elm Creek picnic. Mom hit a home run during one of these games! Way to go Mom!
Grade 9 and 10 were spent at MCI in Gretna. There were good spiritual teachers there, mom said. She was so thankful for spiritual nurturing. One of the teachers at MCI invited some of the students for communion at his home. The students rarely went home on the weekends, so this invitation was a great spiritual encouragement for her!
She was baptized at 16 years of age on confession of her faith. 1949 saw Mom at Winkler Bible school. She sang in a trio with Tina Funk. They sang for shut-ins before the church service and they also sang on Sundays at the hospital. They had good spiritual teachers at Winkler Bible school. They were taught how to conduct a choir, and taught on a few books of the Bible. She also joined a double quartet and sang in other church programs.
Two of Maggie’s brothers, one of her sisters and herself formed a quartet. Their uncle asked them to sing when he spoke at a small mission church. They were even asked to do the music at a wedding where a piano was prohibited in the church. They hummed the wedding march and sang appropriate songs.
Mom worked at her sister Mary’s farm in the summer of 1951. She loved being with her nieces Linda and Ruth.
In 1952, Mom began R.N. training at St. Boniface Hospital. Studies were all new, but she loved the bedside nursing. Her time at St. Boniface was regrettably cut short to only 8 months, due to back strain (she had back problems for many years afterwards). Mom loved caring for people and during her short time there, the Head Nurse always commented on Maggie’s good nursing care.
In 1953, Mom got a job at Manitoba Power Commission (which was the rural part of Manitoba Hydro.) Mom worked there for 3 years.
In September 15, 1956, she was married to Jake Enns, whom she met at the church youth group. As a wedding gift, Mom and Dad received a cow from each of their parents. In 1956, Jake’s uncle Jake Reimer built our parents a 24 x 32 foot house for $600.00, which mom had saved. In 1959 they put the house on a brick basement, put in an oil furnace and made a cistern beside the house, and an outhouse. Also, a “port-a-potty” pail was located in the basement for use when the weather turned colder. This area was ventilated out into the furnace.
Their life of farming together began. In the early years, they would travel to the city during the winter to work. Mom’s boss, at the Manitoba Power Commission, hired her for 3 consecutive winters until their first child, Carolyn, was born on September 10, 1959.
Raising their first baby was a new experience. Mom had some learning experiences from helping her sister Mary Bargen when Mary’s children were young. It helped also that the busy season of farming was ending and the winter season was moving in.
Their first son, Harvey came along on March 16, 1961. Barry arrived June 10, 1966. Four years later on October 25, 1970, Rod completed the family. Mom felt truly blessed by each of her children.
Mom had a dedication to the farm. She drove the grain trucks, swathed fields at times, and even drove the big intimidating 750 Versatile tractor. The 2-ton truck was a challenge with no power steering.
Besides the planting and the harvesting of fields, there were cows to milk morning and evening, chickens to feed and eggs to gather which had to be cleaned for shipping. The cream separator had to be washed after every use and the cream sold. They had no money for groceries, so the sale of these items gave them the cash they needed. In the mid-60’s they decided to switch out of chickens, and begin raising pigs. Mom baked bread, cookies, and cakes- “necessary” extras for her family! Occasionally dad bought some of his favorite coconut-covered lemon cookies. This was a treat.
Mom and Dad moved from the farm into Carman in 1998. She loved her garden on the farm and her flower beds. She was able to find a small plot next to her new home. She was very happy for this as it enabled her to continue enjoying her hobby, and blessing her family with strawberry freezer jam.
In January 2001, Mom grieved the loss of her faithful husband of 45 years. This left Mom with a few challenges as she was now living on her own. But she was resilient and tackled each situation well.
Mom was always interested in helping others. She especially loved helping out at the Backdoor Youth Centre, by baking cookies, and praying faithfully every week with the staff until her health held her back from continuing.
Mom spoke freely of her love for Jesus. She was known as a prayer warrior and was not embarrassed to ask people how she could pray for them. Her favorite phrase was “Do you know Jesus loves you?” We love you Mom/Gramma. So glad you are rejoicing with God. Can’t wait to see you again!
We wish to express our sincere thanks to: 1) Dr. Villeda from Carman Medical Group for his compassionate care of mom over the years; 2) the nurses and staff at Lions Prairie Manor for their wonderful care of Mom and consideration to the family during her time there; 3) Carman Hospital staff, and the nursing staff at Boundary Trails Hospital, as they cared for Mom and us in her last hours.
Thank you also for the expertise and care taken by Craig and Mark of Doyle’s Funeral Home in the planning of the funeral, and to Dale Warkentin for blessing us through the service and laying Mom to rest beside Dad.
Mom faithfully supported and gave to the following two charities. Memorial donations may be made to them.
ShareWord Global (The Gideons) PO Box 3619, Guelph, ON N1H7A2 Email: [email protected]
Maggie was predeceased by her parents, Abram and Helene Janzen, and her husband Jake Enns. Also predeceasing her were siblings John (Daphne) Janzen, Anne (Rudy Boschman), Irma (Ernie Esau), Mary (Frank Bargen), Henry Janzen, sister-in-law Lydia Janzen, brother-in-laws Frank Bargen, Rudy Boschman and Ernie Esau. She is survived by her brothers Fred Janzen (Dorothy), Jack Janzen (Hilda) and Abe Janzen (Aggie), and sister-in-law Clara Janzen(Henry).
Maggie leaves behind her daughter Carolyn (Harry Tielmann), her sons Harvey (Vicenza), Barry (Angela), and Rod (Rena) along with 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Magdalene was born April 12, 1930 to Abram & Helene Janzen. She had a happy and carefree childhood. Of prime importance in her upbringing was the nurturing of spiritual truths and obedience. She attended Sunday School at Elm Creek MB Church. Maggie received Christ at DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School).
Elementary school years were spent at Dakota School just a half mile from their home. Recess and noon hour saw them playing games, baseball, kick-the can, which was their version of football. One year mom’s baseball team won all the games they played against neighboring schools, and also games played at the Elm Creek picnic. Mom hit a home run during one of these games! Way to go Mom!
Grade 9 and 10 were spent at MCI in Gretna. There were good spiritual teachers there, mom said. She was so thankful for spiritual nurturing. One of the teachers at MCI invited some of the students for communion at his home. The students rarely went home on the weekends, so this invitation was a great spiritual encouragement for her!
She was baptized at 16 years of age on confession of her faith. 1949 saw Mom at Winkler Bible school. She sang in a trio with Tina Funk. They sang for shut-ins before the church service and they also sang on Sundays at the hospital. They had good spiritual teachers at Winkler Bible school. They were taught how to conduct a choir, and taught on a few books of the Bible. She also joined a double quartet and sang in other church programs.
Two of Maggie’s brothers, one of her sisters and herself formed a quartet. Their uncle asked them to sing when he spoke at a small mission church. They were even asked to do the music at a wedding where a piano was prohibited in the church. They hummed the wedding march and sang appropriate songs.
Mom worked at her sister Mary’s farm in the summer of 1951. She loved being with her nieces Linda and Ruth.
In 1952, Mom began R.N. training at St. Boniface Hospital. Studies were all new, but she loved the bedside nursing. Her time at St. Boniface was regrettably cut short to only 8 months, due to back strain (she had back problems for many years afterwards). Mom loved caring for people and during her short time there, the Head Nurse always commented on Maggie’s good nursing care.
In 1953, Mom got a job at Manitoba Power Commission (which was the rural part of Manitoba Hydro.) Mom worked there for 3 years.
In September 15, 1956, she was married to Jake Enns, whom she met at the church youth group. As a wedding gift, Mom and Dad received a cow from each of their parents. In 1956, Jake’s uncle Jake Reimer built our parents a 24 x 32 foot house for $600.00, which mom had saved. In 1959 they put the house on a brick basement, put in an oil furnace and made a cistern beside the house, and an outhouse. Also, a “port-a-potty” pail was located in the basement for use when the weather turned colder. This area was ventilated out into the furnace.
Their life of farming together began. In the early years, they would travel to the city during the winter to work. Mom’s boss, at the Manitoba Power Commission, hired her for 3 consecutive winters until their first child, Carolyn, was born on September 10, 1959.
Raising their first baby was a new experience. Mom had some learning experiences from helping her sister Mary Bargen when Mary’s children were young. It helped also that the busy season of farming was ending and the winter season was moving in.
Their first son, Harvey came along on March 16, 1961. Barry arrived June 10, 1966. Four years later on October 25, 1970, Rod completed the family. Mom felt truly blessed by each of her children.
Mom had a dedication to the farm. She drove the grain trucks, swathed fields at times, and even drove the big intimidating 750 Versatile tractor. The 2-ton truck was a challenge with no power steering.
Besides the planting and the harvesting of fields, there were cows to milk morning and evening, chickens to feed and eggs to gather which had to be cleaned for shipping. The cream separator had to be washed after every use and the cream sold. They had no money for groceries, so the sale of these items gave them the cash they needed. In the mid-60’s they decided to switch out of chickens, and begin raising pigs. Mom baked bread, cookies, and cakes- “necessary” extras for her family! Occasionally dad bought some of his favorite coconut-covered lemon cookies. This was a treat.
Mom and Dad moved from the farm into Carman in 1998. She loved her garden on the farm and her flower beds. She was able to find a small plot next to her new home. She was very happy for this as it enabled her to continue enjoying her hobby, and blessing her family with strawberry freezer jam.
In January 2001, Mom grieved the loss of her faithful husband of 45 years. This left Mom with a few challenges as she was now living on her own. But she was resilient and tackled each situation well.
Mom was always interested in helping others. She especially loved helping out at the Backdoor Youth Centre, by baking cookies, and praying faithfully every week with the staff until her health held her back from continuing.
Mom spoke freely of her love for Jesus. She was known as a prayer warrior and was not embarrassed to ask people how she could pray for them. Her favorite phrase was “Do you know Jesus loves you?” We love you Mom/Gramma. So glad you are rejoicing with God. Can’t wait to see you again!
We wish to express our sincere thanks to: 1) Dr. Villeda from Carman Medical Group for his compassionate care of mom over the years; 2) the nurses and staff at Lions Prairie Manor for their wonderful care of Mom and consideration to the family during her time there; 3) Carman Hospital staff, and the nursing staff at Boundary Trails Hospital, as they cared for Mom and us in her last hours.
Thank you also for the expertise and care taken by Craig and Mark of Doyle’s Funeral Home in the planning of the funeral, and to Dale Warkentin for blessing us through the service and laying Mom to rest beside Dad.
Mom faithfully supported and gave to the following two charities. Memorial donations may be made to them.
ShareWord Global (The Gideons) PO Box 3619, Guelph, ON N1H7A2 Email: [email protected]