Obituary of Garry Enns

Francis Gerhard(Garry) Enns, 77, of Morris Municipality Manitoba, born January 17, 1947, to Susan Enns (née Klassen) and Frank F. Enns in Boissevain, Manitoba, passed away suddenly March 6, 2024, at home. Garry attended the last Manitoba teachers’ college in Winnipeg, 1964-65, and the University of Manitoba, starting 1968.He attended high school at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna, Manitoba. He completed Brandon University's requirements for a Rural Development Masters. Garry was the first student elected to the University of Manitoba Senate and initiated the annual Festival of Life and Learning. His UMSU elected offices and writing for UMSU The Manitoban kept him busy those years. His leadership and innovative approach emerged! Garry taught elementary school for two years after Teachers College and communications classes for the Manitoba Civil Service Commission for several years. He substituted in southern Manitoba high schools each spring during his university years. Garry worked for the Canadian, Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments, Assiniboine Community College, Red River Community College, Parks Canada in Nunavut, and the International Peace Garden as CEO. His jobs always involved community and economic development. His accomplishments include two new national heritage sites in southern Manitoba (volunteer), planning and starting Rural Step for Manitoba high school and university students, initiating No Smoking in Winnipeg restaurants (volunteer), funding officer for Health Canada community projects through Saskatchewan and Manitoba, including Main Street Project, managing eight Jobs Fund regional program offices in southern Manitoba, and initiating new satellite community colleges in rural Manitoba. Garry married Gaile Whelan-Enns on April 1st, 1975, in Regina, Saskatchewan. Garry and Gaile researched and wrote the history of his hometown, Gretna, Manitoba, which won the Prix Manitoba and the Margaret McWilliams Medal for Manitoba History. They also researched and wrote the initial Manitoba sustainable development public school curriculum for grades 4-12. Gaile survives Garry; sons Jared Whelan (Mandy) and Kelly Whelan Enns (Kellie Winzinowich and her children Cohen, Ethan, Natasha and Alyssa); grandsons Devan Whelan and Connor Whelan; siblings Margaret (John) Frederickson and Victor Enns (Michelle Hewitt)and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins will miss him, his support, friendly manner and stories! Garry was especially glad to know Lucas, Megan Frederickson’s son, in person. Many will know Garry had a car accident resulting in catastrophic injuries in 2017. He recovered much more than doctors expected, but travel was not possible. The family especially wants to thank those who visited Garry at home, made zoom or phone calls. He was preceded in death by his parents Susan and Frank Enns. No funeral will be held. Memorials or donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation Manitoba or The Winnipeg Folk Festival.