MINNIE EILEEN ENSIGN

1918 - 2014

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - Minnie Eileen Ensign (nee Milner), 95, at rest January 27, 2014, was a resident of Arlington Heights since 2004. Prior to that year, she was a resident of Des Plaines for 51 years. She was the loving wife and mother of the late Ralph E. Ensign and the late Janet Ensign-Daniels. She was born in Springfield, Illinois on November 13,1918 to Joseph and Geneva (nee Wicks) Milner. She married Ralph E. Ensign on November 8, 1942. After graduating from high school, she entered the nursing program at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Upon graduating from that program, she went to work at St. John's until her marriage to Ralph. Upon the breakout of World War II, she and Ralph travelled the United States to various Air Force training bases as Ralph was an officer in the Army Air Force. During Ralph's stint in the service, she returned to Springfield. Upon the end of the war, this is where they settled initially. Eventually, they settled in Des Plaines. She stayed at home to raise her daughter, Janet, until 1968. Until this time, she was active in many volunteer activities in the community. In 1968, she furthered her career by working at Maine Township High School East as the school Registered Nurse, a position which she loved and which she gained many friendships. This was her dream job because of her love for children of any age. She retired in 1986. From 1986 until 2004, she cultivated her friendships made at Maine East and the Deaconess Board at the First Congregational Church of Des Plaines. In 2004, she moved to The Moorings of Arlington Heights where she served on several committees. She is survived by her grandsons and son-in-law, Blake, Brad and Larry Daniels. A memorial service will be held at The Moorings of Arlington Heights in the Harbor Room at 1:30 PM, Saturday, February 1, 2014. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to The First Congregational Church of Des Plaines.