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Epp, Heinrich H. (1857-1933)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Mar 15 p. 4
Birth date: 1857 Apr 8
text of obituary:
LOCAL
— Friends here of Elder Heinrich Epp of Henderson, Nebr., have received word that he passed away at his home at Henderson sometime this week. Funeral services will be held at the Mennonite church at that place tomorrow (Thursday). Rev. Epp had served the church at Henderson as pastor for many years, but was now in retirement. A stroke of paralysis which he suffered sometime ago combined with the infirmities of old age to hasten his departure.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Mar 29 p. 2
text of obituary:
Henderson, Nebraska,
March 22, 1933.
Dear Editor and Readers of the M. R.:
We feel it our duty to give an account of elder H. H. Epp’s funeral which took place in our church March 16.
Rev. Epp was a boy of about 17 years when he came to this country in 1874 with his parents who settled a few miles southeast of the present village of Henderson. Being the only son of the family, he fully shared the hardships of pioneer life with his parents. The land on which his parents started their new home was raw prairie and sod had to be broken in order that it might be put under proper cultivation. Bro. Epp’s chief work was then to turn the raw sod with a breaking plow which was drawn during the cooler part of the day by a yoke of oxen and in the warmer part by a team of horses, but Bro. Epp following the plow at all times with short noon hours in between. We believe we are safe in stating that Bro. Epp holds the record for turning more raw prairie sod than any person of this community. Yes, Bro. Epp followed that plow for days and at times it seemed that he had worn out both the oxen and the horses. Besides he at times had the unpleasant experiences with the oxen.
Rev. Epp was a charter member of the Bethesda church which organized in the first part of the eighties and of which he has been a faithful and loyal member until his end. He has served this church for more than 40 years in the capacity of deacon, minister, and elder until his health waned and he found it necessary to resign and retire from the ministry.
The funeral took place on Thursday. It was a pleasant day. Before the appointed time, a large number of friends and relatives had filled our roomy church within a limited degree of its capacity.
A few minutes before the appointed time, the instrument struck up a funeral march. Slowly, the procession began to move down the aisle, preceded by four ministers. One of them was the aged Rev. P. H. Pankratz, with whom the deceased had harmoniously worked together for possibly 40 years in building up the congregation. He was followed by his four sons and two sons-in-law, who were the pallbearers. Then followed the immediate family and relatives to the front pews which had been reserved for them. The mixed chorus sang an appropriate song under the leadership of Rev. Toews. The aged Rev. P. H. Pankratz our retired minister and contemporary, read John 17 and led in prayer. Now the favorite song of the deceased “Was haett’ ich, haeti ich Jesum nicht,” was sung by the chorus.
Rev. Albrecht and Rev. Horsch of Beatrice were the main speakers, the former speaking in German and the latter in English. Both touched minutely on the life of the deceased speaking words of comfort and consolation for the immediate family, as well as for the congregation, whose faithful and loyal member and servant he had been to the end. Rev. Horsch led in the closing prayer. This was followed by another song. The casket was conveyed into the main entrance hall for a last view of the deceased. In double file the whole procession passed slowly by the casket spread with flowers, for more than one-half hour until all had had an opportunity to view the body. Then the immediate family and relatives arose, accompanying the body to the hearse. The long funeral procession started for the private cemetery located on the old homestead, which is a few miles southeast of Henderson.
Here another opportunity was given to view the body for the last time. Rev. A. W. Friesen read a portion of Scripture and led in prayer. While a quartet sang the casket that had been so lavishly spread with beautiful flowers sank slowly into the grave, where the deceased will rest until the great resurrection morning.
A number of friends and relatives had come from Beatrice and Kansas for the funeral. Later a number were cordially invited to the home of the deceased, where refreshments were served in the basement.
J. J. Friesen.
The Mennonite obituary: 1933 Apr 6 p. 14
Text of obituary:
Epp—Rev. H. H. Epp, Henderson, Neb., was born in South Russia in 1857. As a boy of 17 he came to America with his parents. In May 1877, he received baptism at the hands of Rev. Isaac Peters and was received into the membership of the church. February 17, 1881 he was united in marriage with Helena Peters and of this union eleven children were born of whom three have preceded him in death. Ten years ago the wife and mother passed into her eternal reward. He served the congregation as minister for more than 40 years. In 1884 he was called by the Henderson congregation to serve as deacon, in 1895 he was chosen minister and 1910 he was ordained elder of the church. Because of ill health he retired from the ministry in 1924. He was a long and patient sufferer and finally on March 13 fell asleep in the Lord. His age was 75 years, 7 months and 5 days. He was a diligent student of God's word and a faithful pastor, spending much time in the preparation of his sermons. His interested extended beyond the work of the congregation and he was ever an earnest and energetic friend of missions and education. He is survived by 4 daughters, 4 sons, 2 son-in-laws, and 26 grandchildren, as well as a host of friends.
Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1933 Apr p. 3
Text of obituary:
The Reverend H. H. Epp of Henderson, Nebraska died at his home on March 13. While Rev. Epp was never himself directly connected with the institution, he was a generous contributor financially over a period of years, and the school had other evidences of his friendly interest in her activities. Three of his sons attended the college, one of the number the Reverend John D. Epp ("Deacon") now of Lincoln, Nebraska, having graduated in 1920 with the Bachelor of Arts degree and having returned five years later as Professor of Philosophy and Sociology, which position he held for three years.
A granddaughter of Rev. Epp, Miss Dorothea Epp, of Henderson, Nebraska, is a member of this year's freshman class.
Bethel College Monthly obituary: 1933 May p. 12
Text of obituary:
Am 13. März letzthin starb
Rev. H. H. Epp
der volle vierzig Jahre lang der Bethesda Gemeinde zu Henderson, Nebraska, zuerst als Diakon, dann als Prediger und zuletzt 15 Jahre als Aeltester gedient und viel dazu beigetragen hat, jene große, blühende Gemeinde aufzubauen und zu befruchten. Im Jahre 1874 mit Eltern und Bekannten aus Rußland eingewandert, hat er dort in Nebraska das Pionierleben mitgemacht und es durch Fleiß und Ausdauer zu etwas gebracht. Ein Freund sagt von ihm: "Der Fleiß, den er zeigte in wirtschaftlicher Beziehung, wurde getragen von zwen Motiven: Lust zur Arbeit und Fürsorge für die Familie. Auch hat er dafür Sorge getragen, daß seine Kinder sich geistliche und geistige Güter sammeln durften. … Er hatte die Ueberzeugung, daß Kirchenarbeit und Schularbeit Hand in Hand gehen müssen. Darum war er auch immer ein williger Unterstützer dieser Arbeit." — Ja, der liebe Bruder hat Bethel College treu unterstützt durch Gaben, durch Fürsorge und Fürbitte, hat seine Kinder hier ausbilden lassen und gegenwärtig ist seine Großtochter Dorothea Epp eine tüchtige und geschätzte Studentin hier. Rev. Epp starb im schönen Alter von fast 76 Jahren. Die Bethelfreunde werden seiner und der Seinigen in LIebe und Wohlwollen gedenken.
Bundesbote-Kalender obituary: 1934 p. 29
Text of obituary:
H. H. Epp (Henderson, Nebr.) ward geboren am 8. April, 1857 in Südrußland im Dorfe Elisabethtal. Er war ein Jüngling von 17 Jahren, als er mit seinen Eltern nach Amerika kam. Im Jahre 1877, am 22. Mai, wurde er von Aeltester Isaak Peters getauft und in die Gemeinde aufgenommen. — In Helena Peters fand er seine Lebensgefährtin. Sie verehelichten sich Februar 17, 1880. Diesem Bunde entsprossen elf Kinder, drei davon sind ihm in die Ewigkeit vorangegangen. Es sind jetzt zehn Jahre her, seit die Mutter ihm von der Seite genommen ward, neben dem warteten schon 4 Großkinder im Jenseits auf ihn. Als Diener in der Gemeinde hat er etwas über vierzig Jahre gestanden. Im Jahre 1884 wurde er befestigt als Diakon, 1895 als Prediger, und 1910 als Aeltester der Bethesda Gemeinde. Gesundheitshalber legte er diese Arbeit nieder im Jahre 1924. — Gekränkelt hat er schon mehrere Jahre. Sein Leben wurde immer bedenklicher. Mehr als ein Jahr zurück glaubte er, nicht noch einen Winter hindurch zu leben. Siebzehn Wochen lang hat er schwer leiden müssen. Als ihm, ungefähr 24 Stunden vor seinem Sterben, gesagt wurde, er werde jetzt bald hören dürfen, "Gehe ein zu deines Herrn Freunde," sagte er noch, "Ja, Ja."
Er starb am 13. März, 1933. Das Alter, das ihm geschenkt wurde, ist 75 J., 11 M. und 5 Tage. — Als Vater war er streng aber liebevoll. Der Fleiß, den er zeigte in wirtschaftlicher Beziehung, wurde getragen von zwei Motiven, Lust zur Arbeit und Fürsorge für die Familie. Auch hat er dafür Sorge getragen, daß seine Kinder sich geistige und geistliche Güter aneignen durften. — Seine Arbeit in der Gemeinde versuchte er gewissenhaft zu verrichten. Manchen Abend saß er bei den Büchern und sammelte für den Sonntag. Samstag abends wurde es oft noch spät, ehe er seinen Arbeitstisch verließ. Oft haben wir gemerkt, daß ehe er sich zur Ruhe legte, er sich ein Lied spielte auf der Orgel, die in einem entlegenen Zimmer stand, und dann kniete er nieder und betete für sich, für die Familie, und für die Gemeinde. Er stand einer Sonntagschule vor, ehe dieselbe in der Gemeinde aufgenommen wurde. Er war ein Freund der Missionsarbeit. Als er vor einigen Jahren einen Besuch machen durfte auf dem Missionsfelde in Montana, freute er sich über den Erfolg, den er hier merkte. — Er hatte die Ueberzeugung, daß Kirchenarbeit und Schularbeit Hand in Hand gehen müssen. Darum war er auch immer ein williger Unterstützer dieser Arbeit. Sein Interesse ging aber auch über die Grenzen seiner Familie, seiner Gemeinde, und seiner Gemeinschaft. Er suchte stets ein guter Bürger des County, des Staates und des Landes zu sein. Er war einer von den ersten der Eingewanderten, die ihre Bürgerpapiere herausnahmen. Dankbar war er für alle Vorrechte, die ihm hier in diesem Lande geboten wurden.
Sein Scheiden betrauern 4 Töchtern, 4 Söhne, 3 Schwiegersöhne, 3 Schwiegertöchter, 26 Großkinder, 2 Schwager, und Freunde. Wir hoffen nun, daß er da ist, wohin er sich sehnte, wenn er zitierte:
"Welt ade! ich bin dein müde,
Ich will nach dem Himmel zu,
Da wird sein der rechte Friede
Und die stolze Seelenruh!
Welt! bei dir ist Krieg und Streit,
Nichts denn lauter Eitelkeit;
In dem Himmel allezeit
Friede, Freud und Seligkeit."
Mennonite Year Book and Almanac obituary: 1934 p. 10
Text of obituary:
Epp—Rev. H. H. Epp was born on April 8, 1857 in the village of Elisabethtal in Southern Russia. He was a boy of 17 years when he came to America with his parents. His parents came here because certain religious freedom which originally had been promised by the government to the Mennonites was gradually denied them. They settled on an unimproved farm three miles southeast of the place now called Henderson in the State of Nebraska. In 1877 he was baptized by Elder Isaac Peters and united with the Bethesda Mennonite church. He found a faithful life companion in Helena Peters to whom he was married on Feb. 17, 1880. Into this union eleven children were born, of which eight survive him. His wife preceded him in death ten years earlier. Rev. H. H. Epp, after a period of illness, passed away on March 13, 1933, at the age of 75 years, 11 months, and 5 days.
A religious emphasis upon life was his true heritage from the past and his church membership was never merely in name. He became one of the early promoters of the Sunday school in his community. He served the Bethesda Church eleven years as deacon, fifteen years as minister, and fourteen years as elder. He was deeply interested in missions and greatly helped to develop within his church a missionary spirit. He was convinced that church work and school work must go hand in hand.
He was an active supporter of school. His community interest showed itself in contacts he made with men outside the immediate neighborhood. Having come to Nebraska as an immigrant, he wanted men in public office to know that he had accepted the spirit of the plains and thus was a living example of that spirit which unites various immigrant peoples into a unified nation. In the best sense of the term, he respected and held dear his right to be an American citizen.
He approached his grave with an unfaltering trust in Him whom he had tried to serve and, as one tired from a day's toil, he lay down and wrapped the drapery of his couch about him awaiting the coming of a glorious morn.
