Anna Mae Epp was born on the family farm near Mountain Lake, MN, on Feb 1, 1930, to Jacob and Maria Regier. In her formative years, she enjoyed the outdoors, working the fields and running farm equipment alongside her brother and father. She also loved singing in the church and school choirs, as well as playing the piano, trumpet, and euphonium.
After a summer at Mankato Teacher’s College and a year at Grace College of the Bible in Omaha, Anna Mae married Glen Dale Epp from Henderson, NE. The nuptials took place in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Hilda and Arthur Schmidt on June 16, 1950, at the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church of Mountain Lake.
Early in her life, Anna Mae accepted Jesus as her Savior and allowed Him to shine through her all her life. She entered into her role as pastor’s wife with dignity and grace, at various times serving as secretary, pianist, organist, music minister, and youth worker. Glen and Anna Mae served at churches in several states, including First Baptist Church of Leoti, KS, from 1967-1972.
Although Anna Mae accompanied Glen on many visits to church members, her home remained the focus of her ministry. She read the Bible in personal devotions and gathered the family to read it together. She earnestly desired that all her children would come to faith in Christ. With a firm and loving hand, she encouraged them in school work, music, sports, and life skills. Many a visitor also felt her warm welcome as she served them homemade bread, pies, and vegetables fresh from the garden.
Upon retirement to Hillsboro, KS, in 1997, Anna Mae cared for Glen in his declining years. They celebrated fifty-nine years of marriage before Glen was called to his heavenly home. In the ensuing years, son John took care of Anna Mae, and when her health began to fail, daughter Myrna came to help. Anna Mae moved to Balko, OK, and stayed with son James and his wife Amy-Beth for several years until she moved to Medicalodges in Fort Scott, KS in early 2020.
Everyone at Medicalodges knew Anna Mae for her beautiful smile and piano skills. Soon after she moved in, she played at the memorial service for residents who had passed away in recent months. She sat at the piano frequently, calling people to the Lord through hymns. On a Saturday evening, she played one last time. The next morning, January 30, 2022, she was carried to glory to live with her Savior.
Anna Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Maria Regier; husband, Glen Epp; brother, Melvin Regier; sisters, Edna Regier (as an infant), Hilda Schmidt, and Elisabeth Heinrichs; a nephew, Dwight Regier; and a greatgranddaughter, Eden Flora Epp.
She is survived by her sons, Glendon (Margaret) Epp, John Epp, and James (Amy-Beth) Epp; daughters, Myrna (Tom) Bradbury, Deanna (Bob) Biles, Rachel (James) Bradbury, and Susanne (Brian) Butler; sister, Myrna Zielke; and brother, Norman Regier; thirty-one grandchildren, and thirty greatgrandchildren.
For a more detailed life sketch and opportunity for online condolences, please visit www.jostfuneralhome. com. Memorials to Anna Mae’s favorite ministries, Answers in Genesis or Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, may be sent in care of Jost Funeral Home, PO Box 266, Hillsboro, KS 67063.
