Obituary for Siegfried Victor "Fred" Epp
Siegfried (Fred) Epp passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born to John and Katarina Epp on February 9, 1931 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. In 1938, the family moved to Winnipeg where Siegfried graduated from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute in 1950.
Siegfried was married to Irma Neufeldt on July 25, 1963. He is survived by his three children: Terry Sawatsky and his wife Cathy Hodder, Ed Epp and his wife Norilynn Epp, and Darlene Loewen and her husband Ted Loewen. He was also a loving grandfather to Erin Epp (Andrew), Alexandra Epp (James), James Loewen, Tamar Sawatsky, Josh Loewen, and Abby Loewen.
From early on in his life, Siegfried felt called to service and to the church. In 1958, he headed to Congo on behalf of Board of Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services to fill a support role for missionaries there. This is when he was given the nickname Fred. In 1960, when a war of independence erupted in Congo, he evacuated the country with the larger team of missionaries, returning in 1964 with Irma and their two boys. He continued to serve in support roles over their next 10 years in Congo, managing finances and being the mission’s legal representative in the country. In 1977, the family moved back to Canada, settling in Winnipeg where 3 years later he was asked to launch the Canadian office for the mission board. As the financial officer for the mission board, one of his biggest accomplishments was to establish a benefits package, including a pension plan, for all the missionaries. Post retirement Fred continued his service to the church through many years of visitation to the elderly and ill and ensuring all had rides to the church on Sunday. He and Irma brought fresh baking and cards to the elderly and “shut ins” to ensure they did not feel lonely and neglected.
Fred (Siegfried) was always known for his dry sense of humour and helpfulness. He could always be counted on to give you a hard time if you wanted to ‘unthaw’ the meat. His standard answer to “how he slept” was “with his eyes closed” and “lying down”. At the same time, he was always ready to bring his tools and help fix whatever was broken.
A private graveside service in Fred’s memory will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Elmwood Cemetery in Winnipeg.
The family requests no flowers, instead asking for donations to be made in Fred’s name to a charity of your choice.
Live Stream Link for graveside service:
http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/8772
Siegfried was married to Irma Neufeldt on July 25, 1963. He is survived by his three children: Terry Sawatsky and his wife Cathy Hodder, Ed Epp and his wife Norilynn Epp, and Darlene Loewen and her husband Ted Loewen. He was also a loving grandfather to Erin Epp (Andrew), Alexandra Epp (James), James Loewen, Tamar Sawatsky, Josh Loewen, and Abby Loewen.
From early on in his life, Siegfried felt called to service and to the church. In 1958, he headed to Congo on behalf of Board of Mennonite Brethren Missions and Services to fill a support role for missionaries there. This is when he was given the nickname Fred. In 1960, when a war of independence erupted in Congo, he evacuated the country with the larger team of missionaries, returning in 1964 with Irma and their two boys. He continued to serve in support roles over their next 10 years in Congo, managing finances and being the mission’s legal representative in the country. In 1977, the family moved back to Canada, settling in Winnipeg where 3 years later he was asked to launch the Canadian office for the mission board. As the financial officer for the mission board, one of his biggest accomplishments was to establish a benefits package, including a pension plan, for all the missionaries. Post retirement Fred continued his service to the church through many years of visitation to the elderly and ill and ensuring all had rides to the church on Sunday. He and Irma brought fresh baking and cards to the elderly and “shut ins” to ensure they did not feel lonely and neglected.
Fred (Siegfried) was always known for his dry sense of humour and helpfulness. He could always be counted on to give you a hard time if you wanted to ‘unthaw’ the meat. His standard answer to “how he slept” was “with his eyes closed” and “lying down”. At the same time, he was always ready to bring his tools and help fix whatever was broken.
A private graveside service in Fred’s memory will be held at 1pm on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Elmwood Cemetery in Winnipeg.
The family requests no flowers, instead asking for donations to be made in Fred’s name to a charity of your choice.
Live Stream Link for graveside service:
http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/8772