HENRY LOEPP

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HENRY LOEPP Suddenly, but peacefully on August 21, 2002 at the age of 73, surrounded by his wife and children, Henry passed away. The Lord was gracious, he did not suffer long, and was taken very gently to be with the Lord in heaven. His family was able to sing his favorite German hymns and read his favorite Bible verses to him before he died and we know that he heard and felt our love. Henry was a quiet, strong, and selfless man who was always willing to help in any practical way he could. Our hearts are broken but we feel blessed to have had such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Anita; his children, Rudi and wife Barb, Edie and husband Mike, Ingrid and husband Jim, Heidi and husband Paul, and Karl and wife Gayda; his 11 grandchildren, Colin, Josiah, Jonathan, Nicholas, Ally, Jordan, Thomas, Austin, Natasha, Anneli and Joanna; and his brother Rudi in Germany. Henry was born in Halbstadt, Ukraine on August 30, 1928. His father was taken from him at the age of 9. During the tumultuous war years, he fled his homeland to come to Canada, without any family in 1948. He was baptized at the First Mennonite Church in Winnipeg in 1948. In 1953, he married his best friend Anita. Together they loved and nurtured a family of five children. They were a marvelous team and thoroughly enjoyed each other. In the 1960s, he and several friends went on to establish a very successful painting company named Valour Decorating Ltd. In 1988, he retired from Valour Decorating only to begin many new projects. He was an extremely skilled craftsman, an artist, a "fixer" of anything and everything. And a friend to everyone. In 1999, Henry and Anita moved to Kitchener-Waterloo to be nearer to their children. They became members of the Waterloo-Kitchener Mennonite Church. During the winter, they spent their time travelling, visiting, volunteering, and helping their children and grand-children. In the summer, they enjoyed their cottage at West Hawk Lake in Manitoba, with their many friends and family. A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m., Friday, August 23 at the First Mennonite Church, 922 Notre Dame Ave., Winnipeg, MB. A funeral service and burial will be held on Wednesday, August 28 in Kitchener-Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, if so desired in memory of Henry, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of the Mennonite Central Committee. WE LOVE YOU OPA!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2002