RUDY (RUDOLF) EPP

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RUDY (RUDOLF) EPP In the presence of loved ones, Rudy (Rudolf) Epp passed away at home Thursday, March 8, 2007 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Dad was born Christmas Eve, 1937 in Katrinovka, Ukraine. When he was seven years old, Dad became a Mennonite refugee of war, fleeing under adverse conditions with his family first to Germany, and then finally, to Paraguay in 1946. He spent his teenage years helping carve the family homestead out of the jungle, before following his older brother Reinhold to Canada in 1958; he arrived with a pocket watch and twenty dollars. Dad's first job here was for Century Motors where he worked for six years. During that time, dad started a small business in his garage on Dominion Street fixing cars. His personal and attentive service caused his business to grow such that he opened a freestanding shop, Rudy's Auto Service on Erin Street in 1972. The business, which he ran with his wife Esther and children, Gisela and Rudy, has flourished. This year they celebrate 38 years with their many loyal customers. Rudy's Auto Service was Dad's life, and the reputation of his shop was of the utmost importance to him. He took great pride that most of his customers were people that came word of mouth, and then never left, with many clients being second and even third generation. Although work took up most of Dad's life, he never forgot his love of fishing, and the family was so happy to have one last time on the boat with him at Nutamik Lake back in September. Dad was also fond of his backyard mini-orchard. Many times, he would quietly slip away into the backyard as one of his girls was about to pull out of the driveway, returning with a single rose that he would slip through the window. He also spent many weekends at the speedway in Gimli watching his boys race, strolling through the pits giving out rollkuchen. Dad had a special place in his heart for his grandkids, and spent many hours with them on his riverbank, at Karl's farm building bonfires, and enjoying Opa's jam with them over breakfast. Rudy is survived by his wife of 41 years, Esther; his daughter Gisela (Karl Herzog); his son Rudy (Desiree Wengrowich); and his grandchildren, Michaela, Jesse and Aubrey Epp; sister-in-law Maria Epp; younger brother Robert (Margaret) Epp; sister Lydia Friesen (Rudi) of Paraguay; sister-in-law Margaret Loewen and Eva Rempel (Dave) and brother-in-law Alvin Derksen (Doris); as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his older brother Reinhold in 1986. The family would like to thank the many friends, customers and business associates that took the time to visit with dad and lift his spirits in these last few months. Viewing will take place at Friends Funeral Chapel, 2146 Main St, Monday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 13 at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church at 10:30 a.m., with interment to follow at Springstein Cemetery. Donations can be made to the agency that made Dad's life here possible MCC, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 10, 2007