Olga Epp

Olga Sahar Epp

April 3, 1930 ~ September 14, 2023

Our mother, Olga Epp, was born on April 3, 1930, to Alex and Martha (Kalinowska) Sahar in Marlin, a rural community eight miles south of Glaslyn, SK. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to a location seventeen miles north of Glaslyn. Mom attended Speedwell School until Grade 10. Then she worked at the Dominion Cafe in North Battleford for about six months until she got a position as an operator for the Saskatchewan Government Telephone Company for one and a half years. Mom met Dad, Elwin H. Epp, while living at Mrs. Mills' Boarding House in North Battleford. They married on November 10, 1950, and took up farming in the Waldheim area for several years. When Dad felt God's call to attend Swift Current Bible Institute, they packed up their two young daughters and moved. Mom worked as a cook at SCBI for three years while Dad completed his studies. During the summer months, they were employed as house parents at the Children’s Home and then the Men’s Home at the  Mennonite Youth Farm near Rosthern. In the fall of 1960 Dad was hired as pastor of an emerging church in Belbutte, SK, and he also led a smaller group at the Resolute School near Spiritwood. Then they served congregations in Gouldtown and Wymark. By the time they moved to Pincher Creek, AB to serve the Springridge Mennonite Church, three sons and one more daughter had joined the family. While in Pincher Creek, Mom started a childcare service in our home. The business only lasted four years, but some of the friendships lasted much, much longer. In 1982, Mom and Dad moved to Taber, to serve at Taber Mennonite Church. What had been a vacant field across the street from their house became the site of Taber Christian School where Mom enjoyed working as a custodian for 15 years. During this time, Mom and Dad produced pickles, pies, and jams to sell at the Taber Farmer's Market. Dad passed away on December 22, 1997. About four years later, Mom moved to Coaldale where she was pleased to lead a Ladies Bible Study Group. She also enjoyed volunteering at the MCC Store in Lethbridge and sewing school kits and quilts for MCC. In addition, Mom served as an usher at Coaldale Mennonite Church, visited the sick and elderly regularly, and took her turn preparing and serving food for church events. In 2015, just weeks after her 85th birthday, Mom decided it was time to move to Sunny South Lodge. Mom was very appreciative of the staff and her time at the Lodge. On September 14, Mom went to meet Jesus as she peacefully listened to “Rock of Ages” with two of her children nearby.    

Mom was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her brother Peter, as well as all members of her husband’s immediate family.

Mom is survived by her sister Anne Ewing, her brother Nick Sahar and his wife Shirley, Peter’s wife Valerie Sahar, along with multiple Epp and Sahar nieces, nephews and their descendants. Mom also leaves her six children and their families: Judy and Lloyd Wilson; Linda and Bruce Poelzer and their children: Kenton Poelzer and Jodi (Carson, Logan, Devin), Courtney and Matt Hammond (Rayder, Micaiah, Madelyn, Lylah), and Keegan and Anika Poelzer (Jeremy, Jayda, Jessa); Lyle and Laura Epp and Lyle’s children: Braydon and Angela Epp, Krista and Adam Spackman (Benjamin, Tiegan), Tanner and Chelsea Epp, and Kylie Epp (Peri); Randy Epp and his son Cameron and Katheryne Bruder (Annabelle, Sadie, Charlotte); Les and Linda Epp and their sons: Mitchell Epp, his friend, Sharon Chu, and Spencer Epp and his friend, Kaelyn McDonald; and Katherine and Richard Lepa and their sons Luke Lepa and Victor Lepa.  

Our family would like to thank the Sunny South Lodge for the care and support that Mom received. She always spoke very highly of the Lodge. Special thanks to Nellie Heimstra, Mother’s best friend for many years. Nellie was a blessing to Mom and we are so grateful for everything Nellie did for her.

Donations in Olga’s memory can be made to MCC Alberta by clicking on the following link:  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/mennonite-central-committee-alberta/

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the Coaldale Mennonite Church. Interment took pace prior to the Funeral in the Coaldale Mennonite Cemetery. A Livestream of the Funeral Service can be accessed by clicking on the Livestream Link below:

Livestream Link:   (18) Coaldale Mennonite Church - YouTube