By the Jacob and Helene Epp children, Leamington, Ontario.
Our father, Jacob J. Epp was born December 5, 1887 in Fischau, a small village near the Molotschna River in South Russia. He was the third child of Jacob H. and Maria Epp, née Giesbrecht. He had a happy childhood and enjoyed school. When he completed elementary school, he was urged to continue his education. He attended high school for three years and then went to Halbstadt for two years of teacher’s college. He wrote his examinations in Yalta, in the Crimea, in 1906.
He first taught two years in Konteniusfeld and then four years in Tiegenhagen with Dietrich Koop, who later became elder in the Vineland, Ontario congregation. He was baptized at this time by Rev. Jacob Toews in Lichtenau.
In 1912, father was offered a teaching position in Schönau. The year 1914 was the beginning our World War I. At first teachers were exempt from military duty, but within a year they too, were drafted. They were allowed alternative service and f ather spent two years in forestry camp.
Upon his return, he and mother Helene Willms born June 12, 1890, in Karasan, Crimea, were married by Rev. Gerhard Harder on August 29, 1917 in Tiegenhagen. Mother was the daughter of Franz and Anna Willms, who were houseparents (administrators) in the Altenheim (home for seniors) in Kuruschan. Mother and Dad moved into the teacher’s residence at the Schönau school where father had accepted a position. Here he was also asked to help with preaching at Sunday services.
The Revolution in 1917 caused a time of restlessness and violence, followed by famine and disease in 1919. A joy in our parents’ life was the birth of their daughter Elsie. They enjoyed their role as parents but times became increasingly difficult to instruct religion in the schools. As a result, our parents, together with many others, applied for visas to emigrate to Canada. In November of 1925, they boarded a train which took them to Riga via Moscow, and then by boat to England and finally to Canada.
They spent the first winter in Waterloo. Their friends, the Gerhard Thiessens, invited them to come to Pelee Island, so in spring they moved to Pelee. Dad spoke of a wonderful unity in this group of Mennonites. He helped with the ministry work and in October of 1927, with mother at his side, he was ordained by Elder Jacob H. Janzen.
They could not spend the next winter in the shack they called home, so having friends and a sister in Port Rowan, Ontario, they moved there. Here they spent eight years. Father helped in the church as preacher and choir leader, and was instrumental in starting the Sunday School there. These were hard years for Mother who was not in the best of health. Helen, Anne Marie and Jake were born here.
In 1935, they moved again, this time to the Leamington area. As our father was foremost a teacher, not a preacher, his most enjoyable work was with children – Sunday School, German School, and Summer Bible School. He had a deep concern for the spirituality of the congregation whose foundation, he affirmed, lies in teaching the children. Dad was Sunday School superintendent at the Leamington United Mennonite Church from 1946 until 1959. It was sometimes difficult for a teacher, whose income was derived solely from farming, to find time and energy for work in the church. But with Mother’s support and help from his children, father was able to participate in Sunday School conferences, advise teachers, recommend reading material and offer encouragement. He appreciated the support of his fellow ministers and the friendliness of the congregation, making his work for the Lord in the Leamington congregation easier. Father resigned from preaching in 1965 because of poor eyesight.
In 1956, our parents retired to a home in Leamington which they enjoyed for sixteen years. Dad ordered and sold German books: Bibles, religious records, calendars and greeting cards. Mother had her hobbies of knitting and crocheting.
Father saw the need and was always a supporter of the Mennonite Home and Apartments in Leamington. When the Homeview apartments were built in 1972, they sold their house and made another move which they enjoyed for eleven years.
Because of mother’s failing health they moved into the Mennonite Home in January of 1984 and mother passed away in March of that year. Dad spent three more years there, fairly content, but very lonely, and passed away at age 99 years in August of 1987.
Our parents passed on a strong sense of religious conviction that had helped them through their long years of life. Their example has been an inspiration to both children and grandchildren.
To God be the glory!
