Siegfried “Fred” Epp

1931 - 2020

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 humor 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.





Irma Doreen Epp

1933 – 2016

It is with sadness that we mourn the passing of Irma Doreen Epp who passed away in her sleep on September 17th 2016.

Irma will be missed by her husband Siegfried (Fred) Epp, children Terry Sawatsky & Cathy Hodder, Ed & Norilynn Epp and Darlene & Ted Loewen; grandchildren Erin Epp & Andrew Posen, Alexandra Epp & James Edgar, James Loewen, Tamar Sawatsky, Joshua Loewen, and Abigail Loewen, as well as her brothers and sisters Elfrieda and Abe Konrad, Harvey & Anne Neufeldt, Jerry & Edith Neufeldt and Helen Epp and many friends and colleagues.

Viewing was held on September 22, 2016 and her Memorial service was held September 23 at the McIvor Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church.