Obituary of Ronald Epp

It is with great sorrow that the family of Mr. Ronald Epp announce is passing on the 26th day of March 2009 in Shellbrook at the age of 77 years. Ronald Allan Epp was born to Jacob & Anna Epp on January 16th, 1932 at Laird, SK. He quit school when he was 16 to work on the farm because his father was sick with cancer. He married Elizabeth (Betty) Penner in June 4th, 1954. They farmed at Laird until 1963, when he moved his family to the farm at Belbutte. Ronald & Betty retired to Spiritwood in 2007. He was predeceased by his parents, several brothers and sisters and his son Dennis (November 29, 2008). Ronald loved to sing, and began to sing in the church choir under the direction of his dad when he was a young man. He and Betty often sang duets as well as joining with others to sing in quartets and church choirs. He often made up little songs for his kids. His faith was important to him. When he was unable to attend church due to illness, he always listened to church services on the radio or TV. Ronald enjoyed working with horses. He tamed and trained horses for choring as well as for riding. He also enjoyed giving sleigh rides in the winter and hay rides in the summer. Ronald liked butchering to provide beef and pork for his family. He often said that he "did his hunting out behind the barn," and that he was a vegetarian - he would feed the vegetables to the pigs and then eat the pork! Ronald had a strong work ethic and passed this on to his family. He did not have hobbies - there was always plenty of work to take care of. He often came home from working in the field to tell his family of the wild animals he had seen. He would also pick a bouquet of wild tiger lilies or other flowers as he was working up the breaking. When he gave them to Betty, he would say, "Don't say that I don't bring you flowers." Ronald's children have many found memories of growing up under his leadership and direction. The song "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn expresses many of their feelings, "Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was crying. Daddy's hands, were hard as steel when I'd done wrong. Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand. There was always love in Daddy's hands." Ronald was very proud of his grandchildren and he treasured the times when one or the other of them would slip into the room where he was resting on the couch or in his chair to share some one-on-one time with him. Ronald will be lovingly remembered and missed by his wife Betty, his children and grandchildren: Lenard Epp, Albert Epp, Connie Epp, Elaine (John) Warkentine and their children Jody, Trisha & Amy, Glenn (Liana) Epp and their children Miriam & Justin, Peggie (Jeff) Sawatzky and their children Lucy, Karl & Joseph as well as many relatives and friends. The funeral service for Ronald was held on Monday, March 30th, 2009 from the Medstead Community Hall with Rev. Don Unger officiating. Sharon Janzen was the pianist and Cornie & Marlene Martens sang a duet. His nephew Todd Berg gave the eulogy. Honorary Pallbearers were all Ronald's relatives and friends who have shared in his life. The Pallbearers were: Les Wiebe, Alvin Wiebe, Pete Epp, Ike Epp, Theo Martens and Harvey Dyck. Ronald was laid to rest in the Glenbush Hoffnungsfelder Cemetery.