Epp, Katie Wiens (1902-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Apr 18 p. 30

Birth date: 1902 Mar 19

text of obituary:

(MRS.) KATIE EPP

Katie Epp was born March 19, 1902 in the village of Wohldemfurst in the Kuban, Russia, the daughter of Heinrich and Tina Wiens. When she was six the family moved to Zoworowska. At age 13 she experienced salvation, accepting the invitation found in Matt. 11:28, "Come unto me." A year later she was baptized.

At age 17 she experienced the loss of her father. Her mother later married Henry Schmidt. In 1921, at age 19, she exchanged marriage vows with Gerhard Epp. Of particular joy was their fiftieth wedding anniversary, which they celebrated three·and·a half years ago.

In 1925 the family, with two children, emigrated to Canada, settling in Winnipeg. Here four more children were born. In the midst of poverty and hardship, and good times, she manifested a constant faith, standing faithfully beside her husband and family. As her husband's church duties increased, more of the family responsibilities were left to her.

In 1942 they moved to St. Catharines, Ont. She had a quiet yearning to enter personally into a more direct ministry for her Lord. This was fulfilled when they became houseparents at Bethesda Home. A heart condition forced her, after six years, to give up the work she loved in 1961.

In the years following she developed a keen interest in rock collecting, seeing in their beauty God's handiwork. Her worsening heart condition caused her much suffering and her desire to depart and be with Jesus increased. Her faith never wavered, but became stronger as her physical condition weakened.

She passed away March 4, reaching nearly 73 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband Gerhard, six children and their families: Mary and Abe Rempel, George and Elvira Epp of St. Catharines, John and Katie Epp of Winnipeg, David and Ingrid Epp, Henry and Marge Epp of Toronto and Ann and Wilfried Schaefer of Winnipeg; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She also leaves one brother, Jacob Wiens of Winnipeg, and two sisters, Tina and Lena in Russia.