LORI ELEANOR ENNS

Lori Eleanor Enns, 51, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 at her rural home in Moorhead, Mn.
Lori was born March 14, 1963 in Fort Frances, Ont. to William (Sambo) and Esther Fedoruk.
Surrounded by the love of her parents and six siblings, Lori boasted a happy upbringing full of fun memories on Rainy Lake. Her stunning looks and kind, caring personality captured the crown as Homecoming Queen.
After high school, Lori moved to Winnipeg, Man. to graduate from Cosmetology College, where she met her husband, Clifford Jacob Enns of Middlebro, Man. They were married on Oct. 6, 1984.
She owned and operated her own hair salon while raising her first two daughters, and pregnant with a third.
In 1991, her world was about to change again. Cliff’s desire to move to the U.S., their remodelling addiction, and the good Lord led them to a significant old farmstead along the Red River south of Moorhead, near Hoff Lutheran church.
Friends became family here and it quickly became her final home—a fun and welcoming life-long gathering place with lots of room for old and new friends and family.
Lori lived for fun in the sun, laughter, music, and dancing, and they always revolved around this place. Eventually, with her encouragement, this became the location for their family home business, patriotically called “Cars and Stripes,” a vehicle graphics and sign shop that they all had fun operating together while enjoying the family and friends on the yard.
Lori became a U.S. citizen by naturalization on Sept. 2, 2004, and was involved with many church programs and also a favorite Sunday school teacher. We all know Lori as a kind, giving, and fun person, a nurturer, and natural caregiver, so it was no surprise in 2005 when she eventually found her own passion and accepted employment at VTC (Vocational Training Center) in Fargo, N.D.
Lori worked one-on-one with individuals who are intellectually and physically disabled; she loved it and the people she worked with.
Lori recently was nominated for one of the top direct support providers in the state of North Dakota.
The kids grew up and left home. Soon after, Lori enjoyed her oldest daughter’s wedding on the yard—one of her proudest moments.
She also looked forward to enjoying the empty nest after but, instead, she was forced to retire early and face the worst news ever. On Sept. 24, 2012 at Fargo Essentia Hospital, Lori was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Glioblastoma brain tumor. She was given four-six weeks to live with no other options.
Lori has an extremely large following and they didn’t accept this. By uniting all of their prayers, connections, and her athletic ability, she qualified for surgery at the Mayo Clinic. True to her family’s positive nature, they prepared a team and battled on so we all could enjoy her contagious loving ways for two more years while God waited patiently for his Angel.
Lori was an inspiring example of all things good; mostly love, honesty, forgiveness, and faith in God. She taught us cancer also gives and to show courage in the face of adversity.
In these past two years, she changed all of our lives in so many ways; teaching us all to appreciate each day, each moment, and each person. Among many of her inspiring moments, she never missed competing in the Fargo half-marathons.
Only a few months ago, while undergoing two types of chemotherapy and infusions and her right arm already paralyzed, she still set a goal of six miles and entered again to join “Team Lori” the night before the race.
Lori became the last runner of the entire marathon as she crossed that six-mile marker proudly. True to her nature, she then got a ride to the finish line to cheer in all the runners that passed her and, of course, Cliff who walked with her.
Her perseverance brings meaning to the family’s favourite verse, Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
A gathering will be held Friday, Sept. 26, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Hoff Lutheran Church in Rustad, Mn., with shared stories to follow.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at Hoff Lutheran Church, with the funeral service at 11 a.m. and lunch to follow.
Interment to follow at Hoff Cemetery, located two miles south of the church.
A toast and celebration will be at the Enns’ home afterwards (1.5 miles west of Hoff).
If you so wish, in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to Hoff Lutheran Church, 10979 18th St. S., Moorhead, Mn.