Maria Friesen Enns (nee Martens) ObituaryOur heavenly father has taken our mom, grandmother, great grandmother, home to her eternal resting place.
Mom was born in Mexico on May 31, 1945, to Cornie and Gertrude Martens. She spent her childhood in Mexico, helping other families as a nanny. Mom was baptized upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ on May 18, 1964, at the Old Colony church in Mexico.
Mom and Dad (Jacob Friesen) got married in Mexico on June 21, 1964. They were married for 50 years, 8 months, and 1 week. They lived in Mexico until 1979, then, they ventured to Ontario to try and make a better life for themselves and the family by doing seasonal work for approximately eight years.
Mom and Dad had nine children, five boys, four girls, of whom one daughter passed away in infancy.
Mom was a very hard worker, even after the kids got older and moved out on their own.
She then entered the workforce in the restaurant kitchen, where she enjoyed every minute of it. She often talked about how much fun she had working in the kitchen as a cook.
Mama became a widow on February 28, 2015, when her husband Jacob Friesen passed away, she remained a widow for 3 years. She then met Abram Enns and they got married on June 17. 2018. They then spent the next seven happy years in Winkler. They loved to travel whenever they could until their health would not allow them to travel any longer in 2020.
Stepdad was diagnosed with cancer in November 2023, and the last five months of his life he was very ill. Dad Enns passed 1 week prior to moms passing. Mom and stepdad were married seven years five months and 11 days, mom then became a widow for the second time for one week and 15 hours.
It was very difficult to watch our mother's mental health decline.
On September 28, 2025, the ambulance was called due to her having fallen again.
She then was diagnosed with a lung infection and deemed unsafe to be living on her own any longer due to her dementia. She then spent two weeks in the hospital, then transferred to the Notre Dame Care home on October 10, 2025, which was a very difficult transition, but adjusted well overtime. The staff at Notre Dame foyer enjoyed Mom's company, wittiness, and sense of humor. On December 5, 2025, at 6:05 PM. Mom was called home. Mom was 80 years six months and five days.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, six siblings, a daughter in infancy, one son as an adult, two grandsons, and her second husband.
Mom leaves to mourn her passing seven children and their spouses, three daughters in law, 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 11 stepchildren, their spouses children and grandchildren.
A special thank you to meals on wheels, the Notre Dame care home for their wonderful service, Wiebe Funeral Homes in Winkler, thank you to Bishop John Wiebe, Rev. Isaac Elias, the ladies serving group at the church, Church ushers. And a big thank you for all the prayers support.
From the Friesen Family
Mom was born in Mexico on May 31, 1945, to Cornie and Gertrude Martens. She spent her childhood in Mexico, helping other families as a nanny. Mom was baptized upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ on May 18, 1964, at the Old Colony church in Mexico.
Mom and Dad (Jacob Friesen) got married in Mexico on June 21, 1964. They were married for 50 years, 8 months, and 1 week. They lived in Mexico until 1979, then, they ventured to Ontario to try and make a better life for themselves and the family by doing seasonal work for approximately eight years.
Mom and Dad had nine children, five boys, four girls, of whom one daughter passed away in infancy.
Mom was a very hard worker, even after the kids got older and moved out on their own.
She then entered the workforce in the restaurant kitchen, where she enjoyed every minute of it. She often talked about how much fun she had working in the kitchen as a cook.
Mama became a widow on February 28, 2015, when her husband Jacob Friesen passed away, she remained a widow for 3 years. She then met Abram Enns and they got married on June 17. 2018. They then spent the next seven happy years in Winkler. They loved to travel whenever they could until their health would not allow them to travel any longer in 2020.
Stepdad was diagnosed with cancer in November 2023, and the last five months of his life he was very ill. Dad Enns passed 1 week prior to moms passing. Mom and stepdad were married seven years five months and 11 days, mom then became a widow for the second time for one week and 15 hours.
It was very difficult to watch our mother's mental health decline.
On September 28, 2025, the ambulance was called due to her having fallen again.
She then was diagnosed with a lung infection and deemed unsafe to be living on her own any longer due to her dementia. She then spent two weeks in the hospital, then transferred to the Notre Dame Care home on October 10, 2025, which was a very difficult transition, but adjusted well overtime. The staff at Notre Dame foyer enjoyed Mom's company, wittiness, and sense of humor. On December 5, 2025, at 6:05 PM. Mom was called home. Mom was 80 years six months and five days.
Mom was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, six siblings, a daughter in infancy, one son as an adult, two grandsons, and her second husband.
Mom leaves to mourn her passing seven children and their spouses, three daughters in law, 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 11 stepchildren, their spouses children and grandchildren.
A special thank you to meals on wheels, the Notre Dame care home for their wonderful service, Wiebe Funeral Homes in Winkler, thank you to Bishop John Wiebe, Rev. Isaac Elias, the ladies serving group at the church, Church ushers. And a big thank you for all the prayers support.
From the Friesen Family