Norman Ensz

Norman Ensz, 87, of Inman, Kansas, passed away August 3, 2024, at Moundridge Manor, Moundridge, Kansas, surrounded by family and friends.

Dad was born on the farm near Inman, Kansas, to John A. and Lena Penner Ensz on August 23, 1936, the 3rd of eleven children. He grew up on the farm learning to work hard and play hard. He attended the South Liberty School where he and his siblings made up most of the students. Raised by loving parents, his childhood was an idyllic time in his life, which he often recalled fondly.

At the age of thirteen, he gave his heart to Jesus and was baptized by his father into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. He loved and defended this faith all his life. Feeling the call to serve, he gave two years during his early twenties in 1-W service at the VA Hospital in Roseburg, Oregon. Lifelong friends and wonderful memories were formed during this time.

On May 1, 1960, he married the love of his life, Pearl Jost, at Hillsboro, Kansas. They started 64 years of devoted marriage in a small apartment in Newton, Kansas. Their love never wavered and remained strong to the end. 

Even though Dad grew up on a farm, at heart he was always a carpenter. From humble beginnings working in a trailer house factory, to remodeling and building houses, he built his own company, Ensz Home Builders in Hutchinson, Kansas, planning and starting a new subdivision, which Mom named “Blue Spruce”. 

After a hurricane devastated coastal Mississippi, Dad and Mom gave several years of service in rebuilding and serving as house parents to six boys in Gulfport, Mississippi. The loss of his father during this time was a great blow to him.

Upon their return to Kansas, Dad and Mom provided a loving foster home for two brothers, Robert (7) and Dale (6). They cared for them for 2 ½ years.  In 1972, their lives changed forever when they adopted a newborn baby girl, Becky, in January and a newborn baby boy, John, in September. This was an answer to many prayers and Dad and Mom provided a secure home, filled with love and laughter.

Dad was called by the church and ordained as a deacon, a calling which he faithfully fulfilled. Mom was right by his side, helping him in this endeavor. Together they were a blessing to many people.

When we children became school age, Mom and Dad decided to sell the business in Hutchinson and move closer to Inman and Plainview School. Dad began farming east of Inman, which he did for the next twenty years. He worked hard and provided well for us.

In 1999, they built a retirement home in Inman, enjoying the next 20 years working together in their yard and woodworking shop where they refinished antique furniture. Dad’s specialty was dining room tables, which he would lengthen to seat 22 people. “I’m trying to keep hospitality alive”, he would often say. Hospitality defined Dad and Mom over the years. The door to their home was always open to family, friends and “soon to be friends” that ate at their table or stayed in their guest rooms.

Their retirement years were interrupted by a year spent as house parents at the guest home in Rochester, Minnesota. Here they continued their lifelong commitment to serving others. 

An eternal optimist, Dad’s favorite reply when asked how he was doing was “I’m happy as a lark!” A bashful youngster, he grew into a friendly adult who knew no strangers and loved nothing more than meeting new people and visiting with friends, young and old.

Dad survived several bad accidents over the years and his body was tired. After a traumatic burn in 2016, they moved to a small house in Inman, spending the last few years together in their recliners, reading and visiting with each other. Dad’s last year was spent at the Moundridge Manor where he was lovingly cared for by their expert and compassionate staff. We are saddened to say goodbye but know Dad is visiting with old and new friends on the streets of gold. 

Left with wonderful memories are his wife Pearl, daughter Becky and Greg Dirks, Morven, North Carolina, son John and Shar Ensz, Inman, Kansas; six grandchildren: Amberlea and Lance Dirks, Morven, North Carolina, Collin and Heather Dirks, Cheraw, South Carolina, Cassidy and Casey Schmidt, Cheraw, South Carolina, Anna, Dietrich and Ian Ensz, Inman, Kansas; three great-grandchildren: Shiloh, Madeleine and Spain Dirks; four sisters: Edna and Curt Wiebe, Buhl, Idaho, Marlene Wiebe, Inman, Kansas, Francis Koehn, Brooksville, Mississippi, and Lucille Ensz, Inman, Kansas; three brothers: John and Laverna Ensz, Brooksville, Mississippi, Melvin and Glenda Ensz, Inman, Kansas, and Gene and Kathy Ensz, Hartley, Texas; sisters-in-law: Joan Ensz, Iroquois, South Dakota, Pearl Ensz and Jean Ensz, Montezuma, Kansas, Jennette Koehn, Burns, Kansas, Janet Jost, Brooksville, Mississippi, Karen Jost, Lewisville, Texas; brothers-in-law: Gladwin and Barb Jost, Hesston, Kansas and Glenn and Virginia Jost, Valley Center, Kansas. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, as well as the many people he considered his special friends. 

Preceding him in death were his parents, three brothers: Raymond, Alva, and Herb; and five brothers-in-law: Ervin Koehn, Virgal Wiebe, Stanley Koehn, John Jost and Monroe Jost.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM until 7:30 PM, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Zion Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Inman, KS. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 7, at Zion Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. Burial will follow at Zion Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to Moundridge Manor in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.