John Edgar Enke

Johnnie ("John") E. Enke, 91, of Fort Dodge, Iowa joined his Savior on Monday, April 8, 2013, while residing at the Tompkins Health Center, Fort Dodge, following a brief illness. John Enke, the son of George and Effie Enke, was born October 19, 1921 in Monett, Missouri. After graduating from high school, and while attending junior college, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard shortly after Pearl Harbor. He was discharged in October 1945. John was married on December 6, 1943 to Ruth Henning. To this union was born three sons, Bill of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Dick and Jim, both of Scottsdale, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in 2003, his parents and his brother, Ed Enke. In addition to his three sons, he is survived by his daughter in law Gretchen Enke of Fort Dodge, grandchildren Erika (Matt) Klitzke and Kristen (BJ) Green, and four great grandchildren, Emily, Ethan, Andrew and Jackson. After the war, John started management training with J.C. Penney Co. in Monett, Missouri. He spent most of his working life with Penneys, working in Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa, and managing stores in Tekamah and O'Neill, Nebraska and Oelwein, Iowa. Throughout his career,...[more]

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was active in Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce, and Masonic Lodge. He was a lifetime member of American Legion having served several years as Adjutant. He was also active in the Fort Dodge chapter of AARP and worked with Ruth for many years at the Lord's Cupboard in Fort Dodge. Other than his family, his passion was his Lord and his church. He was active in numerous committees and held several offices in the Methodist Church from high school years through his late 80s, serving most recently on numerous committees with First United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge. His faith and that of his loving wife, Ruth, served them well their entire lives Memorial may be left to Friendship Haven or the First United Methodist Church in Fort Dodge. A celebration of John's life will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 3, 2013, at the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven, with Rev. David Grindberg officiating. The United States Coast Guard will be providing military honors. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven. The Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Fort Dodge are in charge of arrangements.