Epp, Heinrich H. (1857-1933)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Mar 15 p. 4

Birth date: 1857

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.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1933 Mar 29 p. 2

text of obituary:

Rev. H. H. Epp.

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