Henry Lepp

Surrounded by his family, Henry Lepp passed peacefully into the waiting arms of Jesus on the glorious fall morning of October 1, 2015, His love for his dear wife Elizabeth and their family is his legacy, as is his unshakeable faith in God, living peacefully with all people, and his generous, servant heart.

Henry was born in the family home in Mennon, Saskatchewan on November 10, 1927, the sixth of eight children of Jacob and Helena Lepp, the first of “the Canadian three” born after the family emigrated from the Ukraine in 1926. Henry’s childhood was a happy one; loving parents teaching their children to work hard on the family farm, yet always making time for a lively game of evening checkers or skating on the frozen ponds. His favorite chore was caring for Charlie and Dixie, the family’s two horses. The family uprooted in 1946 and moved to Abbotsford, where Henry enrolled in Grade 11 at MEI. It was there that he met Elizabeth Epp, and soon he was borrowing his father’s car to escort Lizzie home from church choir practice. He married his life-long love in August 21, 1949 at South Abbotsford Church. Ken, the firstborn, arrived shortly before their first anniversary and the arrival of Karen, Dan, Rob and Lori filled the Gladwin Road house in the following years.

Father Jacob Lepp, keen to employ his sons, purchased a three ton truck, and soon Henry was hauling hay bales and fruit for Abbotsford Growers, which his father managed. During the 1948 flood, Henry backed his truck to the high water mark near what’s now Lou’s Grill and transported Matsqui livestock to holding barns at the Abbotsford Airport, later working on the dyke repairs and hauling hay to the displaced livestock. His father deeded him the truck as a wedding gift and Lepp Trucking was born. Brother George joined him soon after as a partner, and the 35 years they worked together cemented the brothers’ lifelong bond.

Work was plentiful, by the late 1960’s most new house basements in Clearbrook were dug by Lepp Trucking equipment. But according to Henry, Lepp Trucking “was too big to be small and too small to be big.” The brothers sold the business in 1973, turning to farming, buying and selling properties until settling in at Townshipline Road, operating a mixed cattle and hog farm. Son Rob joined the farming operation in 1980 and a few years later Henry and George parted ways to each work with their own children. Henry happily spent the rest of his working life on the Matsqui farm and nothing gave him more joy than to operate equipment, never giving over the wheel of the silage harvester or hay baler to anyone else. His last tractor work was completed in his 80th year when he reluctantly but proudly handed the keys over to his grandson Michael.

Henry and Elizabeth joined Bakerview Church shortly after it’s inception. They served faithfully as deacons, Sunday School teachers, Bible study group leaders and loved singing in the Fellowship Choir. A rousing gospel quartet song always gladdened his spirit. They were gracious hosts, opening their home to returning missionaries and entertaining countless friends, Henry welcomed and Elizabeth cooked delicious meals. The highlight of Henry’s 50 years of proudly serving as a Gideon was the yearly distribution of Bibles to Grade Five students, including his children and some of his grandchildren. His generous nature supported many missionaries and charitable organizations.

Retirement meant Henry had plenty of time to jump in his car for an afternoon drive, and coffee times, concerts and trips with friends occupied many happy hours. He and Elizabeth loved to pop in at the farm to “check up on things” and enjoy tea at Lepp Farm Market, meet Lori and her children at Dairy Queen for an ice-cream cone, visit Dan’s office to discuss a financial matter, connect with Karen to make sure she had everything she needed or call Ken to see where his truck was heading and what he was hauling.

Henry’s health changed dramatically last January, and his last months in the Menno Home were difficult ones for Henry and Elizabeth, as in their nearly 66 years of married life they rarely spent time apart, always holding hands wherever they went. Not so much for support in case one should fall, but rather a connection between the two halves that made them one. Henry slipped into an unresponsive state on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Elizabeth and the family stayed at his side, constantly reassuring him of their love, thanking him for all he had done as a husband and father and gradually releasing him into his Heavenly Father’s care. While the days were difficult, no words were left unspoken and when he finished his earthly journey, tears shed were of love, not sorrow, for the family knew he longed to be freed from his earthly body.

Henry lived well and finished strong. Though physically weakened, his faith remained steadfast, as he continued to trust his Heavenly Father to strengthen his spirit and watch over his family. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and in all your ways acknowledge Him” were verses he quoted often, and practiced daily. We will miss you Dad, but rest in peace knowing that the good work you began in your family will continue as we strive to live out your example of a faithful husband and loving father, and of placing your desire to honor God at the forefront of every decision you made.

Left to celebrate his homegoing are Elizabeth, his loving wife of 66 years, children Ken (Shirley), Karen, Dan (Jacqui), Rob (Charlotte) and Lori. Grandchildren Liza (Ken) Koshman, Ryan (Michelle), Amy (Richard) Lausman; Matt (Sheree) Hutchings, Pam Hutchings, Greg (Paige) Hutchings; Angela (Jordan) Dyck, James (Francis), Jessica (Clayton) Steinebach, Courtney; Carrie (Jeff) Hooge, Michael (Kacey), Jason (Megan); Leanna, Katie, Emily, Jared and Steven Pankratz. Great Grandchildren Kaden and Jonah Koshman, Sophie and Henry Lepp, Teagan and Megan Bader, Amy and Kaeley Lausman, Taryn and Carter Hutchings, Sloan, Smith and Slater Dyck, Brooks Hooge and Wade Lepp. He is also survived by his sisters Helen Falk and Selma Warketin and brother George Lepp.

He was predeceased by his father and mother, Jacob and Helena, his brothers Peter and Jake, his sisters Margaret Veer and Nettie Schroeder and his son-in-law, Jim Pankratz.

The family wishes to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Menno Home East 2 and Chaplain Ingrid Schulz for your loving care of dad and our family, especially during his last days. Your many gestures of kindness and prayers sustained us.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Henry’s memory may be made to The Gideons, www.gideons.ca