Obituary for Carl Henry Epp
Carl Henry Epp
Carl Epp passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine Enns, children Maureen Epp (David Neufeld), Kevin Epp (Melanie), David Epp (Anita), and Weldon Epp (Kristi Dyck); grandchildren Christopher (Catherine), Robin, Nicole (Luke), Heather, Bradley, Jessica, Nicholas, Jasmin, Erin, Ian, and Graeme; and great-grandchildren Lotty Lee and Myles. Also survived by sister Beth Moyer (Jim), brother Oscar Epp (Rosalind), brother-in-law Roy Stuart, and sisters-in-law Tokuko Higure-Epp, Helen Epp, and Anne Epp. He was predeceased by his first wife, Hilda (née Schroeder), four brothers, and one sister.
Carl was born to David and Justina Epp of Eigenheim, SK, on November 30, 1930, the third of eight children. Following his childhood and youth on the family farm, he taught in a one-room school in nearby Lac Cheval before pursuing a career in medicine, with the goal of becoming a missionary doctor. While waiting for acceptance into medical school, he attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg, where he met Hilda Schroeder. The two were married on June 25, 1961. Following medical school and internship in Saskatoon, Carl practised medicine in Kindersley, SK, and did two years of internal medicine training in Winnipeg. In 1972 Carl and Hilda and their four children moved to Taiwan, where Carl had accepted a position at Mennonite Christian Hospital (MCH) in the city of Hualien city. There they served for a total of 13 years between 1972 and 1991.
At MCH, Carl founded the internal medicine department and oversaw training programs for medical students, interns, and residents. By the time he left Taiwan, the hospital, which had been established by North American Mennonite church and medical workers, was fully staffed and run by Taiwanese health care professionals. This reality and the deep faith orientation that continues to inform MCH’s holistic approach were a huge source of joy for Carl. He received numerous awards for his contributions, including official recognition from Taiwan’s president in 1996. After MCH completed a major renovation in 2003, Carl was invited to attend the dedication of the hospital’s new Carl Epp Library.
Carl continued to practise medicine in Winnipeg until his retirement in 2001. Following Hilda’s death in 1995, his life entered a new phase with his marriage to Madeleine Enns in 1999. Carl and Madeleine enjoyed many happy years together, travelling across Canada and the world to see children and grandchildren, and enjoying their garden at home. Carl now had time to plant ancient grains among his flower beds, research family genealogies, grow orchids, sing in choirs, and serve in various capacities at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship. Always equal parts farmer and healer, Carl made many trips back to Eigenheim to help his brother Oscar with the harvest. An early riser, his first hour always included reading several hymn texts and Bible passages, alternating between his well-worn English, German, Chinese, and Low German Bibles. Carl loved his family deeply, and “family comes first” was an oft-repeated phrase. Quiet hours sharing meals, discussing wide-ranging topics, spending time in nature, being invited into the lives of his grandchildren – these were treasured times. Eventually, with failing health, Carl moved into Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home in 2020. The family would like to express their thanks to Pembina Place staff for their dedicated and professional care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 18, at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship, 150 Bayridge Ave. The service will be livestreamed at http://us04web.zoom.us/j/158787495. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Church Canada International Witness: https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/international-witness
Carl Epp passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Madeleine Enns, children Maureen Epp (David Neufeld), Kevin Epp (Melanie), David Epp (Anita), and Weldon Epp (Kristi Dyck); grandchildren Christopher (Catherine), Robin, Nicole (Luke), Heather, Bradley, Jessica, Nicholas, Jasmin, Erin, Ian, and Graeme; and great-grandchildren Lotty Lee and Myles. Also survived by sister Beth Moyer (Jim), brother Oscar Epp (Rosalind), brother-in-law Roy Stuart, and sisters-in-law Tokuko Higure-Epp, Helen Epp, and Anne Epp. He was predeceased by his first wife, Hilda (née Schroeder), four brothers, and one sister.
Carl was born to David and Justina Epp of Eigenheim, SK, on November 30, 1930, the third of eight children. Following his childhood and youth on the family farm, he taught in a one-room school in nearby Lac Cheval before pursuing a career in medicine, with the goal of becoming a missionary doctor. While waiting for acceptance into medical school, he attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg, where he met Hilda Schroeder. The two were married on June 25, 1961. Following medical school and internship in Saskatoon, Carl practised medicine in Kindersley, SK, and did two years of internal medicine training in Winnipeg. In 1972 Carl and Hilda and their four children moved to Taiwan, where Carl had accepted a position at Mennonite Christian Hospital (MCH) in the city of Hualien city. There they served for a total of 13 years between 1972 and 1991.
At MCH, Carl founded the internal medicine department and oversaw training programs for medical students, interns, and residents. By the time he left Taiwan, the hospital, which had been established by North American Mennonite church and medical workers, was fully staffed and run by Taiwanese health care professionals. This reality and the deep faith orientation that continues to inform MCH’s holistic approach were a huge source of joy for Carl. He received numerous awards for his contributions, including official recognition from Taiwan’s president in 1996. After MCH completed a major renovation in 2003, Carl was invited to attend the dedication of the hospital’s new Carl Epp Library.
Carl continued to practise medicine in Winnipeg until his retirement in 2001. Following Hilda’s death in 1995, his life entered a new phase with his marriage to Madeleine Enns in 1999. Carl and Madeleine enjoyed many happy years together, travelling across Canada and the world to see children and grandchildren, and enjoying their garden at home. Carl now had time to plant ancient grains among his flower beds, research family genealogies, grow orchids, sing in choirs, and serve in various capacities at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship. Always equal parts farmer and healer, Carl made many trips back to Eigenheim to help his brother Oscar with the harvest. An early riser, his first hour always included reading several hymn texts and Bible passages, alternating between his well-worn English, German, Chinese, and Low German Bibles. Carl loved his family deeply, and “family comes first” was an oft-repeated phrase. Quiet hours sharing meals, discussing wide-ranging topics, spending time in nature, being invited into the lives of his grandchildren – these were treasured times. Eventually, with failing health, Carl moved into Pembina Place Mennonite Personal Care Home in 2020. The family would like to express their thanks to Pembina Place staff for their dedicated and professional care.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 18, at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship, 150 Bayridge Ave. The service will be livestreamed at http://us04web.zoom.us/j/158787495. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mennonite Church Canada International Witness: https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/international-witness