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Epp, Margaretha Wiens (1868-1940)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Apr 3 p. 5
Birth date: 1868 Feb 5
text of obituary:
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— Mrs. J. J. Epp of 324 East First street passed away at four-thirty o'clock Tuesday morning at the Bethel hospital after a comparatively brief illness. She has taken to the hospital Thursday of last week for an operation which was not considered serious, however, doctors found that she was suffering from cancer and her condition became increasingly grave. She was past 72 years old. Funeral services will be held at the First Mennonite church Thursday afternoon, where she was a member for nearly 30 years. She is survived by three daughters and one son: Mrs. J E. Entz, Newton; Mrs. K. R. Galle, Arkansas City; Mrs. H. B. Unruh, Pratt; and J.R. Epp of Salina.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Apr 10 p. 5
text of obituary:
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— A large attendance was present last Thursday for the funeral of Mrs. J. J. Epp at the First Mennonite church. rev. H. J. Kliewer was in charge at the services at the home. while Rev. A. Warkentin and Rev. H. J. Dyck of Elbing conducted the services at the church. Six nephews of Mrs. Epp served as pall bearers, namely, August Epp, J. E. Epp, John E. Wiens, Geo. E. Wiens, Jacob C. wienss, and Dan E. Wiens. Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery, directed by Duff & Son.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1940 Apr 17 p. 3
text of obituary:
Our dear mother and grandmother, Margaretha Epp, was born in Rosenort, South Russia, February 5, 1868. She was the daughter of Jacob Wiens and Anna Wiens (nee Rempel). When a child of seven, she with her parents, five older brothers and one younger sister, came to America, settling on a farm near Inman, Kansas. Here she grew up in a God-fearing, devout home and early gave her heart to her Savior, being baptized upon her confession of faith in Christ on June 13, 1886, by Rev. Henry Toews and became a member of the Bethel Mennonite church at Inman, Kansas.
A great sorrow came to her when she lost her beloved mother whose joyous home-going made a deep impression upon the tender heart of the seventeen year old girl and she very often spoke of this to her children. The mother's early passing laid the burden of a large household upon her shoulders which she bore with fortitude.
On December 11, 1887, she was united in marriage to Jacob J. Epp. Our beloved parents were privileged to share joys and sorrows for forty years, our dear father preceding her in death by twelve years. Six children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy.
Soon after their marriage they moved to Inman, later to Hutchinson, then to Medford, Oklahoma, coming from the latter place in 1905 to Newton. The family has resided here continuously since. Soon after coming to Newton our parents transferred their membership to the first Mennonite church here. she was always intensely interested in all its activities supporting it loyally in word and deed and was a regular attendant at Sunday School, church and Bible class.
Her devotion to her church was grounded upon a deep consecration to her Saviour. Her strong Christian character expressed itself in high ideals and noble purposes. she sought to make real in life the love of Jesus. Affectionately good will marked her life and spread peace and sunshine. Although not blessed with much earthly goods she always found something with which to help those who needed help. The young people had an especially warm place in her heart which was also evidenced by her interest in Bethel College.
Many guests enjoyed the hospitality of her home. There was much sunshine in her life especially at eventide, but God had led through great depths in her life and she often said that it was only grace which had upheld in those very hard years. As a testimony of her faith she gave to her loved ones the song, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine."
When it was found that she must undergo an operation she was fully yielded to God's will saying that she would gladly remain here with her loved ones but if it were His will otherwise she was ready to go. And in the very last night she repeated loud and clear the words so precious to her, "Christi Blut und Gerechtigkeit, Das ist mein Schmuck und Ehrenkleid; Damit will ich Vor Gott besteh'n, Wenn ich zum Himmel werd' eingeh'n."
She was deeply devoted to her family, her greatest joy being the gathering of her children and grandchildren in the home, to which she always looked forward eagerly and was especially happy when the first great-grandchild visited in the home at Easter-time this year.
In the course of years her sister and her brothers passed to their reward, she outlived all of her immediate family. On January 7, 1929, her last remaining brother was called to his home above.
For several months mother had not been well and it was found necessary for her to have hospital care. The sisters were very dear to her and cared for her most efficiently and tenderly. Yet neither the best of care nor the doctors' skill availed. It was God's will otherwise. She passed to her eternal home at 4:20 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 1940.
She leaves to cherish her memory, one son, J. R. Epp with his wife, three daughters, Mrs. J. E. Entz, Mrs. K. R. Galle, Mrs. H. b. Unruh and their husbands, nine grandchildren, one great-grandson and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday afternoon at the home by Rev. H. J. Kliewer and the First Mennonite church by Rev. A. Warkentin and Rev. H. J. Dyck. Special music was rendered by the choir of the church.