Waldemar "Wally" Epp

Wally is lovingly remembered by Elke, his partner and wife of 65 years, his children Tracey (Christoff), Mike, and Mindy (Steve), his grandchildren Nick (Rebecca), Raisa, and Alex (Alyssa), and his beloved great-granddaughter, Lily.

Wally was born on January 14, 1939, in Nikolaifeld, Sagradovka, South Russia (now Ukraine). He was the youngest child of Heinrich (Henry) K. Epp and Sara (Knels) Epp, and baby brother to Elizabeth, Henry and Helmut.

Life in Russia was difficult. Hunger, violence and war prevailed. For that reason, in 1945 Wally’s family made the difficult decision to leave their home and flee to Germany. Wally’s memories of his three years on a farm in Amelinghausen were good ones – full of play, fun and friends, his friendship with Helga lasting to present.

In 1948 Wally’s family again relocated, this time to Canada – initially in Springstein, Manitoba, and then Winnipeg in the North Kildonan area. Wally spoke fondly of growing up in Winnipeg – a life without hunger, violence and war, and instead, a life full of family, friends and fun. Wally proudly became a Canadian citizen in 1960 and graduated from grade 12 at Miles Macdonell Collegiate in 1958. At that time, grade 12 was not required and was considered pre-university. Wally very much wanted to go on to university, but finances would not allow it. It was a regret that he carried with him throughout his life.

After graduation, Wally pursued a career in the credit union and banking system. However, his desire to stay in one place and close to home was far too great. This led to multiple positions in credit, all the while going to school at night to gain his diploma in Managerial Accounting. This led to his joining CRA in 1971, where he stayed for 29 years until his retirement in 2000.

On August 22, 1959, Wally took the then sixteen year old Elke Weitkowitz for a walk. They shared their first kiss, and Wally asked Elke to go to the movies with him. That was the start of a 65-year love story that never ended. They married in October 1963. Tracey joined the duo in February 1965, and they all welcomed Michael in September 1967 and Mindy in December 1970. The family was complete. There was some cats and hamsters along the way – but no pet had a greater place in the family and in Wally’s heart than the sweet puppy Sheba with whom he shared a love of salami and ripple potato chips.

Over the years, the family grew – Steve in 1996 and Christoff in 2004. However, Wally’s heart grew exponentially larger with each grandchild – Nicholas in 1993, Raisa in 1995 and Alexander in 1998. The grandchildren also grew the family with the addition of Rebecca and Alyssa. However, nothing can compare to the heart swell felt by Wally upon the birth of his beloved great granddaughter Lily in February 2024. His eyes lit up every time he saw her. It was magic what she did for her great-grandfather for the short time they had together.

Wally worked hard for his family, but he also loved sports and to have fun. Throughout his life he was an avid (and excellent) volleyball player, bowler, and curler. He loved to watch hockey and football, especially the Jets and Bombers. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his passion was golf. No matter what was going on, what needed to be done, or who needed what, there was always time for golf. Wally was a phenomenal golfer, with his best handicap being 9. This led to his children and then Elke joining in – and nothing made him happier than the family getting together for a round and a beverage…until the grandkids started joining in. That made him the happiest and the proudest. He lovingly made clubs for Nick at age three, and then a new set for Alex because one golfs right and the other left.

Wally became a member at Rossmere G&CC in 1997, and cherished his time spent on the course and in the clubhouse. It is fitting that the celebration of his life will be held in its hallowed halls, where Wally had THREE holes in one – the fourth having been dropped at Hecla.

Wally had a full life, and all of that may have been enough. But not for Wally. In 1972 plans began for the family cottage at West Hawk Lake. Without any architectural or construction experience, Wally designed and built his dream – a six bedroom, two loft and two-bathroom cottage that was his absolute pride and joy. For forty-five years Wally loving built, added to and puttered around that cottage – lovingly doing all the work himself, and sometimes with a little help from family and friends. In his later years, he supervised Mike and Steve in its expansion and upkeep. The cottage was and is a place where family spent weekends, along with a variety of friends and cohorts, and nothing made Wally happier. Oh, if the walls could talk – the stories they would tell!

Even with the beloved cottage, Wally also loved to travel (especially to places where he could golf!). Family trips to Vancouver, California, and Florida were first. Then there were the trips to Hawaii with Elke and friends. Upon retirement, Wally and Elke wintered in South Carolina and then Texas, with trips to Florida and Arizona in between, and a wonderful trip to Ecuador. After they sold their winter home in Texas, a trip to Roatan was in order. The fun never stopped. However, what means most to Wally was being able to share in the adventures with his beloved Elke.

The last few years of Wally’s life were almost as hard as the first few. First it was macular degeneration, then Parkinson’s and dementia. The inability to see and to golf was devasting for Wally. The Parkinson’s and dementia only amped up his restlessness, until that restlessness caused him to fall.

The family would like to thank everyone on unit GB-2 at HSC for their kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba, Parkinson Canada - Winnipeg or the HSC Foundation. A celebration of life will be held at Rossmere Golf and Country Club on September 29, 2024, from 200 to 500pm.

LIFE IS LIKE A ROUND OF GOLF

Author: Criswell Freeman

Life is like a round of golf with many a turn and twist.

But the game is much too sweet and short to curse the shots you’ve missed.

Sometimes you’ll hit it straight and far and sometimes the putts roll true.

But each round has its errant shots and troubles to play through.

So always swing with courage no matter what the lie.

And never let the hazards destroy the joy inside.

And keep a song within your heart and give thanks that you can play.

For the round is much too short and sweet to let it slip away.