Obituary of Donald Ensign

Donald C. Ensign was born on March 3, 1935 to Claud and Pauline (Rempfer) Keesaman in Cameron, Missouri. Following the death of his father, Don was adopted by William W. Ensign, Sr. and his family moved to Hugo in 1945. He attended Hugo High School, where he excelled in athletics and academics and was active in many high school activities. He graduated from Hugo High School in 1952, as the president of his Senior Class. He attended La Junta Junior College on a baseball scholarship and graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in 1954. Don married his high school sweetheart Leah M. Shriver on July 2, 1955 in Hugo, Colorado and from this union Don and Leah were blessed with three children. Don worked as an automotive and equipment mechanic for the Colorado Department of Highways for over 34 years. After his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, reading and traveling with his wife of 43 years. Don became a member of the Hugo United Methodist Church as a teenager. Don served on the Administrative Board and Board of Trustees of his church. He took great pride in caring for the lawn and the grounds of the church for many years. Don was a lifetime member of Lincoln County Historical Society and a retired member of the Hugo Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service. He served as a Hugo Town Board Trustee, was a member of the Hugo Lion’s Club and past member of the Hugo Jaycees. Don was a lifetime member of the Gift of Life Foundation. He was a generous contributor to many projects that benefited the Hugo community, including many hours of volunteer time during the construction of the Lincoln Community Hospital. Following an extended illness, Don passed away January 2, 2007 in Burlington, Colorado at the age of 71. His father, Claud Keesaman, mother, Pauline and his wife, Leah, preceded Don in death. Don is survived by his father William W. Ensign, Sr. of Hugo, children; Garald “Garyâ€? (Terina) Ensign of Hugo, Sharon (Rodney) Webb of Simla, Colorado and Patricia (Perry) White of Hugo. His six grandchildren; Austin Pottorff of Fraser, Colorado, Lindsey Webb of Fort Collins, Colorado, Amanda and Michael Webb of Simla, Brian White of Fort Collins and Donald Brent White of Hugo. Also surviving are two brothers; William (Ricky) Ensign, Jr. of Limon, Colorado and James (Cheri) Ensign of Louisville, Colorado and one sister-in-law Mary Louise (Gene) Wecker of Westminster, Colorado as well as nine nieces and nephews and a community of friends. A celebration of Don’s life will be held Monday, January 8, 2007 at the Hugo United Methodist Church at 10:00 A.M., Rev. Olga Hard officiating with burial to follow at the Hugo Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 7, 2007 from 2-4 P.M. at the Love Funeral Home in Limon, CO. Memorials may be made to Hugo Ambulance Service P.O. Box 11, Hugo, CO 80821 or Hugo United Methodist Church P.O. Box 386, Hugo, CO 80821.