Epp, Kathrine Bergen (1884-1944)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Jul 11 p. 15

Birth date: 1884 Nov 13, Nebraska
Date of Death: 1944 Jun 1, Nebraska

text of obituary:

Frau Katharina Epp, geb. Bergen, ward am 13. Nov. 1884 zu Henderson, Nebr. geboren und am 1. Juni 1903 taufte Aelt. Peter J. Friesen sie auf ihren Glauben und nahm sie in die Bethesda Mennonitengemeinde auf. Am 28. Sept. 1905 heiratete sie John F. Epp und der Herr segnete die Ehe mit 7 Kindern von welchen eine Tochter in 1919 starb. Die Heimgerufene hat sich nach bestem Vermögen um das Wohl ihrer Familie bemüht. Bei der Geburt des Erstgebornen betete sie um Weisheit es in der Furcht des Herrn zu erziehen. Der Herr schenkte ihr die Gnade. Sie liebte Ihn und seine Gemeinde und war stets bemüht mit Hingabe im Missionsverein zu dienen. Der Herr schenkte ihr die meisten Bitten. Es war ihr aber nicht vergönt ihre beiden Söhne, die von zuhause waren, nämlich Daniel in Georgia und Aaron in CPS Arbeit in Harrisburg, Pa., nochmals hier zu sehen. Darauf muß sie bis zum Auferstehungsmorgen warten. Sie verschied am 1. Juni 1944 um 8 Uhr abends, scheinbar an einem Nierenleiden. Sie wird nicht wiederkommen, aber wir werden gehen um sie zu sehen. Es trauern um sie nebst ihrem Gatten, Frau John J. Thiessen, Stockham; Frau Daniel Thiessen, Herman Jr. und Jacob J. zu Henderson; Daniel J., Toccoa, Georgia; Aaron J., Harrisburg, Pa.; Tena Gaede, eine Pflegetochter, daheim; 2 Tochtermänner, 4 Schwiegertöchter; 18 Enkel; 4 Brüder; 2 Schwestern und viele Freunde. Die Begräbnisfeier fand am 6. Juni in der Bethesda Kirche statt, nach einer kurzen Andacht im Heim geleitet von Pred. H. D. Epp. In der Kirche dienten Pred. Fadenrecht, Leiter der M. B. Gemeinde, und Aeltester A. W. Friesen, der bemerkte: “Wie hat die Dahingeschiedene in den Gebetsstunden für ihre Kinder und die ganze Familie gebetet! Aber sie wird nicht mehr. Sie wird da vermißt werden, denn ihr Mund ist verstummt . . . Ein inhaltsreiches Leben ist zum Abschluß gekommen, dessen Tragweite erst in der Ewigkeit offenbar wird. Ein Doppel Quartett sang. Die Leiche wurde auf dem Bethesda Kirchhof begraben.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jun 8 p. 5

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN F. EPP, WIFE OF NEBRASKA MINISTER CALLED AWAY IN DEATH

Henderson, Nebr. — Mrs. Epp, 59, nee Bergen, wife of Rev. J. F. Epp of Henderson, died at the family home here Tuesday evening, May 30, at 8:20 o'clock. She was born Nov. 13, 1884, on a farm near Henderson and resided in this community all her life. On Sept. 28, 1905, she was united in holy wedlock with J. F. Epp. To this union seven children were born, four sons and three daughters. One child died at the age of 10

Being chairman of the senior mission society for a number of years, Mrs. Epp was active in church work until she was called away. She will be greatly missed in the church as well as in the home.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. J. F. Epp, and the following children: Mrs. J. J. Thieszen, Stockham; Mrs. Daniel Thieszen, Herman and Jacob, all of Henderson; Daniel J., Taccoa [sic Toccoa], Ga.; Aaron J., Harrisburg, Pa., and one foster-daughter, Tena Gade, at home.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Jun 15 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN F. EPP

Mrs. Kathrine Epp (nee Bergen) was born Nov. 13, 1884, near Henderson, Nebr. On June 1, 1903, she was baptized on the confession of her faith by Elder Peter J. Friesen and received membership in the Bethesda church.

On Sept. 28, 1905, she was united in holy wedlock with John F. Epp.

God blessed them with seven children, of which one daughter died n 1919. She worked for her family in a faithful way and to the best of her ability.

At the birth of her first child she prayed for grace to rear her children which were entrusted to her in the fear of the Lord. God granted her this petition. She loved the Lord and His church. She tried to fill her place in the mission society with great devotion.

God has granted her most of her petitions, save one. She longed to see her two sons who were away from home, Daniel in Georgia and Aaron in the CPS camp at Harrisburg, Pa., before she passed away. For this she now must wait till the resurrection morning. She died June 1, 1944, at 8:30 P. M. Seemingly her early death was caused by infection of the kidneys.

She and her husband were permitted to share together joys and sorrows for 38 years. She will not return, but we will go to see her.

She leaves to mourn her early departure her deeply bereaved husband (Rev. John F. Epp), Mrs. John J. Thieszen, Stockham, Nebr.; Mrs. Daniel Thieszen, Herman J. and Jacob J. of Henderson, Nebr., Daniel J., Toccoa, Georgia, Aaron J., Harrisburg, Pa., and Tena, a foster-daughter at home; 2 sons-in-law and four daughters-in law; 18 grand-children, 4 brothers, two sisters and a host of friends.

We never realized before that we had so many praying friends, as we have experienced in these days of her illness. May God bless every one for the sympathy shown us. Mother has attained an age of 59 years, 6 months and 19 days. — The Bereaved Family.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Jul 25 p. 15

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Henderson, Nebraska
Daughter of Isaac J. and Sarah (Peters) Bergen
Married John F. Epp 1905 September 28, Henderson, Nebraska
Homemaker -- Henderson, Nebraska

Bethel alumni note:

Photo holdings:
See John F. Epp for photo with husband

Sources:
Grandma Online profile 31640
Find A Grave 22660196