Epp, Anna (1891-1968)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1968 Sep 26 p. 13

Birth date: 1891 Feb 3

text of obituary:

ANNA EPP

Anna Epp, daughter of Peter and Maria Janzen Epp, was born on Feb. 3, 1891, at the parental home near Whitewater, Kan. She received her education at Whitewater and in a parochial school. In later years she spent a year at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.

When she was four years old her father died. Two years later her mother married Henry H. Wiebe. She grew up in a Christian home and joined the Emmaus Church through baptism.

In 1921 the family moved to Whitewater. Here, unable to continue the accustomed activities of farm life, she started a hatchery business which she conducted successfully for a number of years.

The increasing ill health of her sister, Mary, made it necessary for Anna to devote herself to caring for Mary. Eventually the task became too great for her strength and Mary was taken to the Bethel Home for the Aged, where she died in 1956.

Anna’s Christianity was a practical one. Following World War II a number of people in this area became concerned with overseas relief. This took the form of buying all kinds of relief supplies, especially food and clothing, and sending them in packages to individuals known to be in need. Anna’s former hatchery became a storehouse and packing center for this work, and her table a place of refreshment for those who gathered periodically to pack. Hundreds of packages went overseas, some to people who by their own testimonies would have starved without them.

She had a great capacity for friendship. She was truly in her element when she could prepare a good meal and invite a congenial group to share her hospitality. Many recall happy hours spent in such a group. In her later years she devoted much time to visiting those who were lonely or shut-in.

Last year symptoms of serious illness became evident and she began taking treatments but gradually became weaker. Her last months were spent partly in Bethel Hospital and in the home of a sister, Mrs. Ernest Claassen.

She passed away on Aug 15, at the age of 77 years. Surviving were her sisters, Mrs. Ernest Claassen and Mrs. B. G. Harder, a step-brother, John H. Wiebe, all of Whitewater, a number of nieces and nephews and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Emmaus Church don Sunday Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. with Revs. L. R. Amstutz and O. Ray Graber officiating. Burial was in the Emmaus Church Cemetery.

The Mennonite obituary: 1968 Sep 17 p. 576