Epp, Marie (1888-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1 Nov 1956 p. 8

Birth date: 1888

text of obituary:

MARIE EPP

Marie Epp, daughter of Peter Epp and Maria Janzen Epp was born February 27, 1888 at the parental home near Whitewater, Kansas, and departed this life on September 21, 1956, at the Bethel Hospital in Newton. She reached the age of 68 years, six months and 25 days. She received her education at Whitewater and in parochial school.

When she was seven years old her father died, and two years later God gave her a second father when her mother was married to Henry H. Wiebe. Theirs was a happy Christian home. Under its tender care she learned to love her Lord and followed Him in baptism at Pentecost 1904 at which time she also joined the Emmaus Church which membership continued until her passing.

She was faithful with the talents that God had given her. She loved her work and it was hard for her to realize that her trembling hands could no longer perform their tasks.

Slowly through the years her paralysis increased. As long as it was physically possible, she was cared for by her sister Anna, with whom she shared the home in Whitewater.

In the fall of 1952 she was taken to the Bethel Home for the Aged in Newton, where she lived for almost four years. It pleased God that she should give a testimony through suffering. She bore this burden for Him patiently and without resentment, week after week, month after month.

What relief human hands could give was gladly and faithfully given by the nurses. They all loved Mary and were strangely drawn to her bedside. She suffered much but also received much loving care.

During the summer a new medicine was given her, which relaxed her, and greatly relieved her suffering, but her sickness continued. The day before her passing she was taken to the Bethel Hospital in a very sick condition. As her sisters stood by her bedside and saw her quietly slip away, a feeling of thankfulness for her deliverance came over us. A long chapter in our lives, over which we had placed many question marks, had been closed.

Surviving are her sisters, Anna Epp, Mrs. Ernest Claassen, Mrs. B. G. Harder; a step-brother, John H. Wiebe, all of Whitewater, a large number of nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Emmaus Mennonite Church at Whitewater, Monday, September 24, at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. H. J. Dyck, Rev. L. R. Amstutz and Rev. O’Ray Graber officiating. Home services were at 1:15 p.m.

Burial was made in the Emmaus Cemetery.

Music was furnished by a men’s quartet and ladies trio, accompanied by Miss Ruth Klaassen at the organ and Marvin Wiebe at the piano.