Joel Enns

Joel Enns, age 91, of Folsom CA. passed peacefully on Monday, July 1, 2024, in Folsom CA. Joel was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was the second of six children born to Albert and Margaret Enns. He grew up on the family farm and attended Elementary and High School in Reedley, CA, where he was honored with the "American Legion Award" for combined excellence in athletics and academics. During his first year at Reedley Jr. college Joel was drafted and served in the Korean War conflict for two years in the Army Medical Corps in Germany. After his discharge in 1954, he continued his education at Taber College in Hillsboro, Kansas where he met and married Margaret Anne Jost. Within a year they moved back to Northern CA where he continued his studies at UC Berkeley majoring in Engineering Materials and Business. Joel began his career by joining a small group of 150 engineers and scientists in the materials engineering department at the IBM engineering laboratory in Northern CA. His 36 years at IBM was very rewarding and he found himself on the front lines of multiple computer storage breakthroughs, such as the creation of the original 8 inch floppy disc. Joel was first and foremost a devoted husband and father. The family was a priority and he always made time for activities such as Little League, Boy Scouts and family vacations. He spent two years as the president of the local American Little League, growing the league from 8 to 42 teams. Then served as scoutmaster for eight years with all three of his boys. As his sons grew older, he and Margaret enjoyed traveling throughout the western states and various regions of Canada on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle. They also loved visiting other countries and traveling by cruise ship…most memorable was the whole family cruise in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. After retirement, Joel accelerated his interests in building furniture along with his new interest in golf. His woodworking projects can be seen in many homes and churches in the community. His strong faith and Church life was always very important to Joel, in that he wanted to live his Christian life in a way that was meaningful. Joel and Margaret both loved being senior high school youth leaders at the Cupertino Presbyterian Church. Other activities included leading the elders and building committee. This responsibility continued in Camino, CA, where they relocated to the mountain community. His later years involved working with the senior adult programs and leading several small groups at the Rolling Hills Christian church in El Dorado Hills CA. Joel loved his three boys, Tim, Tom and Steve. He was an exceptional father-in-law to Brynn, Trish and Meg, and the loving grandfather to Morgan, Michael, Danielle, Carter and Kyle. He enjoyed some wonderful years with his great grandkids, Maple, Marlowe, Miles and Liam. Some of the best family times were gathering at his home for cards, a birthday, swimming and cookouts. His loving family will miss him dearly. A Memorial Service in his honor will be held on August 10, 2024, at 12:00PM at Hills Church, 800 White Rock Rd. El Dorado Hills, CA 95762.