Obituary of Kathe Epp

On April 23, 2020 Kathe (Tina) Epp went to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She will be missed by six children and their spouses: Kaethe & Randy Funk, Anneliese & Dietrich Schellenberg, Elfriede & Terry Lane, Elviera & Darrell Janzen, Rita & Richard Strickland, Gerhard & Kathy Epp. She was loved by 17 grandchildren: Mark (Kim) & Michael (Donelda); Lindsay, Brittany & Alyson (Cody); Kathleen (Daniel), Caroline (Jason), Matthew (Roxanne) & Noah; Loren (Paul); Samuel, Sophia, & Selah; Jonas, William, Marcus & Marina. She was also blessed with 12 great grandchildren who she adored and took every opportunity to dote on. 

Kathe was the first born of three children, to Gerhard and Katharina Krahn. She was born on January 5, 1939, in Hochfeld Ukraine. She came into the world during a difficult time with unrest in Russia and then the start of WWII in September of 1939. Kathe’s father was conscripted into the German army, leaving his young family shortly after their third child was born. Gerhard became a prisoner of war soon thereafter, and the family would never see him again.

This left Katharina with three young children, struggling to keep them safe and cared for. MCC was instrumental in bringing the family from wartorn Europe and they travelled from Germany, crossing the ocean on the Heinzelmann, in 1948 to a new home in Paraguay. They settled in the village of Schoenhorst, Neuland Colony.

It was in their new community that 9 year old Tina helped her mother build a new life by making bricks to build their home, helping thatch the roof, and working the farm (her favourite part being time with the animals). In 1953 they moved into the capital of the colony so that the children could attend high school. In 1955 Tina was baptized on the confession of her faith, and given the baptismal verse from Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That mom relied on this through her whole life was plain to anyone who knew her.

It was in Neuhalbstadt (capital of the colony), that Tina met her future husband, Gerhard Epp. After a very brief courtship, Gerhard, his mother, and three siblings received notice that their immigration to Canada had been approved. So Gerhard left Tina, in 1957, with a promise to send for her as soon as he was settled in Canada. In June of 1959, Kathe made the trip to Canada, on her own, to reunite with Gerhard. They were married on July 11, 1959 at the Vineland United Mennonite Church. There was much to take in for Tina in a very short while, and in early 1960 Gerhard and Tina were able to sponsor Tina’s mother and two siblings to join them in Vineland.

In June of 1960 Gerhard and Tina welcomed their first child Kaethe and the family grew with the arrivals of Anneliese in1961, Elfriede in 1963, Elviera in 1964, Rita in 1967, and Gerhard in 1971. This kept Tina very busy with homemaking and raising their children. Tina was a hardworking and infinitely patient woman, always putting the needs of others ahead of her own. 

In 1977 with her children all attending school Tina started a new phase of her life, employed at the Vineland United Mennonite Home. She worked in housekeeping and then also as a Nurse’s Aide.  She loved her work there, caring for the residents and built long-lasting relationships with her co-workers.  Somehow, she was able to manage balancing her work, with ongoing care for her family, never complaining that it was too much. 

In 1991 Gerhard was diagnosed with lung cancer, which he fought for a year.  Dad encouraged mom to keep working while he was ill, as he knew that once he was gone, she would need to have purpose in her life.  Dad passed away September 13, 1992 leaving an emptiness for Tina, but true to her nature, she complained little and chose to continue to work at the United Mennonite Home. She also found purpose in caring for her grown children and of course the eventual grandchildren.

Tina worked at the Home until she turned 65 and then as a volunteer for years after that.  She was involved in the lives of her grandchildren, attending their sporting events, school and church programs, flying to the grandkids in Manitoba and driving to see the grandkids in the United States.  She was always a loving, supportive, engaging Oma with patience beyond compare giving all her grandchildren wonderful memories of time spent together.

In the past 6 years Mom’s memory and health began to deteriorate leading her to leave her house in Vineland to be at the Orchard View Apartments in spring of 2017, then to the United Mennonite Home in December that same year. We are so grateful for the loving care she has received at the Home, including that of several caregivers with whom she had worked during her years of service at UMH.

She leaves behind children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brother and sister-in-law Gerhard and Louise Krahn, sister Margaret Fast, sisters-in-law Aganeta Siebert and Erna (Epp) Schroeder, and many nephews and nieces. Predeceased by her husband Gerhard, in-laws Henry Fast, Willy & Nelly Epp, John Epp, Peter Siebert and Maria Epp.

Due to COVID restrictions a private family internment has been held. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date. The family is most grateful for the many condolences that have been shared.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the following.

United Mennonite Home

4024 Twenty-Third Street Vineland, ON L0R 2C0

Website: https://umh.ca

Mennonite Central Committee

MCC Canada

134 Plaza Dr.

Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9

Website for donations online: https://donate.mcccanada.ca