Marilyn G. Epp

Marilyn G. Epp, 85, of Beatrice, NE, went home to be with her Savior on August 25, 2025. She was born on August 21, 1940, in Beatrice to Louis and Gertrude (Fast) Penner and grew up on the family farm. Marilyn publicly professed her faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the First Mennonite Church west of Beatrice.  She attended the one-room Caldwell School in Hoag through eighth grade and graduated with honors from Beatrice High School in 1957. Marilyn earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education with a minor in Spanish from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating with distinction in 1961.  She taught high school algebra and geometry in Bakersfield, CA, Pawnee City, NE, and Beatrice and later did substitute teaching and tutoring for 26 years in southeast NE school districts.

On June 19, 1963, Marilyn married her sweetheart Richard J. Epp. Together they operated a dairy farm near Fairbury for many years.  Richard and Marilyn had two daughters, Stephanie and Pamela, who were the pride and joy of their lives.  Marilyn and Richard attended school and 4-H activities never missing a spelling bee, concert, parent-teacher conference, fair, speech contest, or any other activity in which their daughters were involved.  Marilyn served as a leader of the Four-Leaf Clover 4-H club, president of the Park School PTA, and helped launch the Fairbury High School Music Boosters first annual Copacabana fundraiser.

Faith was central to Marilyn’s life and at the core of her active engagement in church and community.  She thoroughly enjoyed meeting people and working with them to serve others.  Marilyn was a longtime member of Christ Community Church in Beatrice and loved the annual tradition of filling shoe boxes with gifts for children around the world through Samaritan’s Purse.  She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and started the Serving our Savior women’s Bible study group at Jansen Bible Church. Additionally, Marilyn was a founding member of the Fairbury Community Concert Association and continued to volunteer through 2025 to secure annual memberships.  She served on the Fairbury School Board where she was president for two years as well as the Jefferson County Extension and Election Boards. Marilyn remained active from 1973 until her death in the Jefferson County Live and Learn Extension Club.

An excellent cook and baker, Marilyn loved hosting friends and family with homemade meals.  Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she made dozens of cookies and candies to share with delighted recipients.  Her lemon meringue pie was a sought-after treat at church potluck dinners. When not in the kitchen, Marilyn loved to garden and solve puzzles.  She was also an avid Cornhusker fan, following Nebraska football and volleyball and talking sports with family and friends.

Marilyn is survived by her two daughters, Stephanie (Robert) Bernoteit of Springfield, IL; Pamela (Douglas) Olsen of Harrisburg, NE; four grandsons, Colin Bernoteit of Lafayette, IN, and Isaac Olsen, Luke Olsen, and Gabe Olsen of Harrisburg, NE; brother, Harold (Elaine) Penner of Beatrice; sister-in-law, Lucille (Roger) Engbrecht of Sioux Falls, SD ; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Epp, in 2006;  parents, Louis and Gertrude Penner; parents-in-law, Herman and Frieda Epp; and brothers-in-law, Alan (Eunice) Epp, and Kenneth (Erna) Epp.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on September 13, 2025, at Christ Community Church in Beatrice with Pastor Dan Martin officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 A.M. on September 13, 2025, at the church. Burial will be in the First Mennonite Church Cemetery, rural Beatrice. Visitation will be held on September 12, 2025, from 12:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with the family greeting relatives and friends from 5:30 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Christ Community Church of Beatrice, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Samaritan’s Purse.  www.foxfuneralhome.net  Arrangements entrusted to Fox Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Beatrice.