Epp, Helen Ruth (1898-1986)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1986 Aug 21 p. 11

Birth date: 1898 Apr 20

text of obituary:

SISTER HELEN RUTH EPP

Sister Helen Ruth Epp was born April 20, 1898, to John Epp, Sr., and Anna Regier Epp on a farm near Brainerd, Kan. She died June 16, 1986, at Bethel Home for Aged in Newton, Kan., at the age of 88.

In 1922 she graduated from Hesston Academy. Three years later she joined Sister Helena Entz in Mt. Lake, Minn., to assist her with hospital work. She returned to Kansas in 1926 to begin nurses training at Bethel hospital. After completing her training, she was ordained as a deaconess. Her new duties included office work as well as nursing.

In 1932 she returned to the farm to assist her father and her brother, Cornelius, but returned to the hospital yearly to update her nursing skills.

She was baptized upon confession of faith by Gustav Harder. She became a member of Emmaus Mennonite Church, rural Whitewater, and remained an active member until her death. She was a prayer warrior and had a great interest in missions.

After her brother's move to Bethel Home for Aged in the fall of 1982, she retired to Bethel Deaconess Home.

During the past four years she submitted to surgery twice. One of her nursing friends wrote to her: "I hope you are receiving the same loving, tender care as you have always given your patients."

She is survived by five sisters and one brother: Anna Wiebe, Maria Wiebe, Emilie harder, Agatha Wiebe, Agnes Regier and John Epp, Jr.

Preceding her in death were one sister, Margaret Wiebe, and a brother, Cornelius.