Irmgard Johanna Enns

Irmgard Johanna Enns (née Wiens) gently and peacefully departed this life on Thursday, October 24, 2024 in her signature way with grace and beauty. She was surrounded and held by her children, loving and supporting each other in the way she taught us. She was able to stay in her home till the end at Cambridge Manor in Calgary, Alberta. Here she spent the final year of her life, cared for very well by the loving staff, enjoying her view of the courtyard trees.

Irmgard was born in Renown, Saskatchewan on November 16, 1930 to Erich Arthur Wiens and Anna Wiens (née Dyck). Irmgard was the oldest child, with younger brother Walter and younger sister Ellinor. Mom described her parents who were farmers and creative thinkers, as valuing independence and education, often saying to their children: “You should know what to do! Think!! Study hard - there is always something to learn and read lots.” Although parenting through the depression, Erich and Anna led their children to maintain a belief that the world was out there waiting to see what they could make of it. Irmgard embodied this vision and never lost the love of new ventures or the joy that joking and laughter brings.

The family farmed near Aylsham, Saskatchewan for Irmgard’s first 12 years, living in a small cottage in the woods. When Irmgard was in grade 8, they moved to a farm about 5 miles from Nipawin, Saskatchewan on the riverbank of the Saskatchewan River.

Irmgard loved this farm. She often talked of cross-country skiing to and from school and of running up and down through the bush that covered the riverbank, reveling in the sheer exuberance of exercise and energy that told her she could do anything. She carried this love of adventure through her entire life. This quality is a teaching that continues to influence her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. As she wrote in her own words -- “Our imagination could change our simple country life into magical forests and castles and adventures to no end.”

Irmgard’s love of education and nature continued to shape her life. Within a couple of months of graduating high school, she was the sole teacher in a rural school near Charmfield, Saskatchewan. Solo in this remote country teacherage, she was responsible for the education of students ranging from grades 1 to 12.

At the age of 21, Irmgard married Peter Enns and they moved to a farm near Carrot River, Saskatchewan that they built up from scratch. She embraced life on the farm and seemed to thrive on all the changes that came her way. Irmgard and Peter had 7 children who all benefitted from her enthusiasm for life and her willingness to explore everything that the world had to offer. They rooted their family in a deep Christian faith and put this into action through their involvement over 45 years in the Carrot River Mennonite Church. Through singing in choirs, playing piano for services, baking endless pies and sewing beautiful quilts - Irmgard and Peter modelled the importance of being woven into community, both giving and receiving.

In her own journal, she remarked that the thing that left her with the most pride is “Our family and its diversity”. Mom thrived on conversation, laughter and learning new perspectives. Each of her children recalls her curiosity and love for discussions about our views on life, theology, and everything in-between and she was always open and enthusiastic about our thoughts and opinions. She didn’t always agree but that never stopped her from encouraging us to think and live as we felt was right for each of us.

After 50 years on the farm, Peter and Irmgard retired and moved to Calgary, Alberta where four children (and their families) were living. They found a church community in Foothills Mennonite Church and joined an active group of UBJ’s (“unencumbered by jobs”). With this group of friends they explored everything from the Calgary Stampede to Spruce Meadows horse jumping to trips to the mountains. They continued to be home base for family feasts, debates and adventures for the growing generations of in-laws, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

After loving and caring for Peter through his death in August 2019, Irmgard transitioned to her next adventure of living alone, and moved from their condo into Cambridge Manor. Irmgard immersed herself in learning to keep track of her vast family through email and Facebook, continuing to read, and to debate, laugh and learn with her children every Saturday morning on Zoom for an hour. One of her final directives to us was to “keep that going”. She will remain our guiding light to stay connected through all our diversity and independence. As she chronicled by recording one of her favourite poems:

“They drew a circle that shut me out -

Heretic, rebel - a thing to flout.

But Love and I had the wit to win -

We drew a circle that took them in!” (Edwin Markham)

Our mother Irmgard lived a full life. It had challenges and hard times as all lives do, but there was never any doubt that the joys far outweighed the sorrows. She influenced and affected us all, encouraging us to live as we thought best. She simply enjoyed us as we were. Irmgard will be missed but we all carry a piece of her with us. Perhaps there can be no greater tribute than that.

Irmgard is survived by her children Brian (Sylvia), Fred (Anne), Laura, Gerald (Lorraine), Bruce (Lisa) and Vicki (Tim) and her daughter- in- law Helen (wife of Rob); her sister Ellinor; 14 grandchildren; and 10 (soon to be more) great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents Erich and Anna, her husband Peter, her brother Walter and sister-in-law Eileen, brother-in-law Cliff, and her eldest son Robert.

A private family Memorial Service to remember Irmgard will be held early December.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Brenda Strafford Foundation | Donate , or through the website at www.thebsf.ca. Funds can be designated to Cambridge Manor if desired, to support their excellent care. A mailing address if preferred is The Brenda Strafford Foundation - 4628 Montgomery Blvd NW Calgary, AB T3B0K7.