Lena Zepick
June 4, 1926 – November 28, 2021
Wichita, Kansas – Lena Minnie Zepick (Ehnisz) entered the Church triumphantly on November 28, 2021. She was born on June 4, 1926 on the family farm near Burstall, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Phillip and Anna Ehnisz (“Schimpf” ), German-Russian immigrants who settled in the Canadian Prairies around the turn of the 20th century. She was one of 12 children, seven girls and five boys, one of the boys having died as a young child. Lena grew in wisdom and stature, finding favor with family and friends, excelling at Richville School in Burstall, and worshiping at Burstall Hoffnung (Hope) Church, where she actively participated in Sunday School. and at church services where she played the piano and sang trios with sisters. Viola and Mabel. After graduating from Richville School in 1944, Lena enrolled at Regina Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan. At a church social event, she met a dashing young sailor who had returned from WWII, Reuben Zepick of Nokomis, Saskatchewan. They married in 1948 and moved to Bulyea, Saskatchewan, where Reuben began his career in education, teaching in Bulyea, then served as a principal in Govan, Saskatchewan, and eventually ended his career in education as a teacher in Calgary, AB. During those years, Lena nurtured the growing family – a tough handful of three exuberant boys – and kept the family on task, with her prayers, nips and words of encouragement when times got tough.
In 1967, Lena and Reuben left Canada for the small hamlet of Long Point, Illinois, as Reuben answered God’s call to enter the ministry and enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Seminary. Evangelical Theological Center in Naperville, Ill., 90 minute drive from Long Point. While Reuben was away at seminary for the week, Lena lived the life of a single mother: cooking, cleaning, helping Dean and Kent with their homework, finding time to throw a soccer or baseball, and doing some his best to maintain communication with the oldest son Lyle. who had remained in Calgary. She served in women’s groups in congregations and supported the ministry where she could. In 1970 the family returned to Canada as pastor of the Richmond Park Evangelical Church in Edmonton, Alberta, then in 1976 Lena, Reuben and Kent returned permanently to the American Midwest, Reuben serving the United Methodist congregations. of Indiana in the towns of Pleasant. Lake, forest and Colfax. In 1986, Lena and Reuben moved to Wichita, Kansas, where their eldest son Lyle still resides, and began part-time ministerial work at Epworth United Methodist Church, then participated as active members. at the United Methodist Church of Calvary. Lena is predeceased by her husband Reuben, her parents, Phillip and Anna Ehnisz, ten siblings and a grandson David Zepick. She is survived by two siblings, Lilly and Viola; three sons, Lyle (Debi), Dean (Debbie) and Kent (Rebecca); daughter-in-law, Carolyn Zepick; seven grandchildren, Rebecca White, Timothy Zepick (Sarah), Melanie DeMarce (Tory), Aaron Zepick (Leah), Daniel Zepick (Beth-Anne), Caleb Zepick (Abigail) and Connor Zepick; and eleven great-grandchildren. Lena loved to sing, play the piano, crochet and read, especially her beloved Bible. In her later years, she faced health issues that limited her activities, but we will always remember her as a woman of prayer; a devoted wife, mother and grandmother; and like a humorous woman, who could laugh with others and laugh at herself. She has fought the good fight, kept the faith and awaits her crown of righteousness. Visitations will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021, from noon to 1:00 p.m., with service to follow immediately, at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 East 21st Street, Wichita, Kansas, 67208, (316) 686-7311.
Posted by and from December 2-5, 2021.
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