Obituary for Katie Epp
Katie Epp (nee Konrad)
1929 - 2020
Katie was born in La Riviere, Manitoba, on July 5, 1929. She was the oldest child of John and Anna Konrad. From an early age, it was evident Katie was a gifted pianist. At 12 years of age, she began accompanying congregational singing and the choir directed by her father in her home church.
In 1947, she enrolled at MBCI in Winnipeg to finish high school. After completing requirements for the AMM piano teacher’s diploma, Katie began a career teaching piano and music theory in Winnipeg, Winkler and Morden, later joining the music faculty at the former Mennonite Brethren Bible College where, unbeknown to her at the time, her students included her future husband, John B. Epp. Love sparked two years later on a Ferris wheel date in Toronto.
John and Katie were married in 1954. Four children followed, along with moves to Coldwater and Kitchener, ON, Abbotsford, BC, and Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, MB. John worked as a pastor and educator and Katie taught piano lessons privately and enjoyed many accompanying opportunities.
Katie’s musicianship, her warm and loving nature, infectious smile, and hospitable spirit beautifully complemented her husband’s role as a pastor. Whether it was hosting students, singing and playing piano on CFOR radio (1954-1957), starting a Homemakers Fellowship in Abbotsford (1961), chairing Pioneer Girls and initiating a Cradle Roll department at River East M.B. Church (1970s), chairing the Manitoba M.B. Women's Conference (1984-1986), chairing the Board of Stewards at Crossroads M.B. Church (1997-1999), advising John on worship music, hosting church members for meals, visiting church members, or countless other things, Katie was a beloved participant in all churches where she and John ministered.
Above all, she was a loving wife and a caring mother. Katie will be lovingly remembered by John, her husband of 66 years; children Wendi Hiebert (Murray), Christine Longhurst (John), Loreen Epp, and daughter-in-law Connie Epp (Henry Hubert); grandchildren Jeremy Epp, Karly Epp (Karl Kohut), Becky Longhurst (Carl Trudel), and Dylan Longhurst; siblings Henry Konrad (Evelyn), John Konrad (Irmie, deceased); Esther Isaac (Ernie, deceased), Martha Janzen (Harry), and Wanda Becker (Jeral); sister-in-law Ann Schaefer (Wilf); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Ken Epp in 2014.
A highlighted verse in Katie’s Bible was Isaiah 26:3-4: “You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all those whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
Katie passed away peacefully on December 14, 2020 at the age of 91. Her family is deeply grateful to all the staff at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of Katie over the past 5 months.
In lieu of flowers, they invite you to consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
A Zoom Tribute Memorial for Katie will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm CST. Please send an email to katieeppmemorial@gmail.com to receive the link. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not receive a response.
Viewing stream will be live 9:00 am to 9:50 am Central Standard Time.
A private interment service will take place on Monday, December 21, 2020.
1929 - 2020
Katie was born in La Riviere, Manitoba, on July 5, 1929. She was the oldest child of John and Anna Konrad. From an early age, it was evident Katie was a gifted pianist. At 12 years of age, she began accompanying congregational singing and the choir directed by her father in her home church.
In 1947, she enrolled at MBCI in Winnipeg to finish high school. After completing requirements for the AMM piano teacher’s diploma, Katie began a career teaching piano and music theory in Winnipeg, Winkler and Morden, later joining the music faculty at the former Mennonite Brethren Bible College where, unbeknown to her at the time, her students included her future husband, John B. Epp. Love sparked two years later on a Ferris wheel date in Toronto.
John and Katie were married in 1954. Four children followed, along with moves to Coldwater and Kitchener, ON, Abbotsford, BC, and Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, MB. John worked as a pastor and educator and Katie taught piano lessons privately and enjoyed many accompanying opportunities.
Katie’s musicianship, her warm and loving nature, infectious smile, and hospitable spirit beautifully complemented her husband’s role as a pastor. Whether it was hosting students, singing and playing piano on CFOR radio (1954-1957), starting a Homemakers Fellowship in Abbotsford (1961), chairing Pioneer Girls and initiating a Cradle Roll department at River East M.B. Church (1970s), chairing the Manitoba M.B. Women's Conference (1984-1986), chairing the Board of Stewards at Crossroads M.B. Church (1997-1999), advising John on worship music, hosting church members for meals, visiting church members, or countless other things, Katie was a beloved participant in all churches where she and John ministered.
Above all, she was a loving wife and a caring mother. Katie will be lovingly remembered by John, her husband of 66 years; children Wendi Hiebert (Murray), Christine Longhurst (John), Loreen Epp, and daughter-in-law Connie Epp (Henry Hubert); grandchildren Jeremy Epp, Karly Epp (Karl Kohut), Becky Longhurst (Carl Trudel), and Dylan Longhurst; siblings Henry Konrad (Evelyn), John Konrad (Irmie, deceased); Esther Isaac (Ernie, deceased), Martha Janzen (Harry), and Wanda Becker (Jeral); sister-in-law Ann Schaefer (Wilf); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Ken Epp in 2014.
A highlighted verse in Katie’s Bible was Isaiah 26:3-4: “You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all those whose thoughts are fixed on you.”
Katie passed away peacefully on December 14, 2020 at the age of 91. Her family is deeply grateful to all the staff at Donwood Manor Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of Katie over the past 5 months.
In lieu of flowers, they invite you to consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
A Zoom Tribute Memorial for Katie will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm CST. Please send an email to katieeppmemorial@gmail.com to receive the link. Please check your spam/junk folder if you do not receive a response.
Viewing stream will be live 9:00 am to 9:50 am Central Standard Time.
A private interment service will take place on Monday, December 21, 2020.