ANNIE RUTH TATES

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ANNIE RUTH TATES It is with deep sadness, and with great sorrow, we announce the sudden and unexpected death of Annie Ruth Tates (nee Epp) on August 21, 2016 in her home, at the age of 74. Ann was born in Germany, September 18, 1943. In 1947 Ann, in care of her parents, Maria and Nicolaus Epp were sponsored into Canada by Ann's aunt, Helen Schmidt, from Oak Bluff, Manitoba, they arrived in Winnipeg on December 23, 1947 where the family moved to Springstein. In 1953 they settled in North Kildonan, finding their true home. Ann found her true love and married her husband John on October 27, 1962, embarking on their new life together, working hard, both grateful for what Canada had to offer, and with big dreams of the years ahead. Ann worked many jobs, such as nurse's aide and in a laundromat, but once she started her family, home was where her heart would be. They proceeded to have three beautiful children, Keith, Lisa and Betty-Ann. During this time, she found her new calling in life. Ann volunteered at the school, and baked and cooked, feeding the neighbourhood children for years. Everyone considered her mom, and the door was always open. The scent of fresh baked bread could be smelled from down the street. Ann was also an entrepreneur in her own right, capturing this in her perogy sales at the school, barely keeping up with the orders. Later on, as her own children became more independent, the need for child care arose in the neighbourhood. Ann stepped up, as she loved to have children around her, and once again found her calling, proceeding to run a daycare from their home, giving her the best of both worlds for many years. In 2001, she herself became a proud Oma. Zachary and Kelsey were born from her two daughters only 10 days apart. Later on, the family was blessed with Cole, Rebecca, and Shelby. These children became her world. She babysat them, taught them, and later on mentored her grandchildren until the very day she departed to be with the family who had left before her. Ann was predeceased by her parents Nicolaus and Maria Epp, as well as her sister Hilda Epp. She leaves to mourn her husband of 53 years, John; son Keith; daughter Lisa, grandson Zachary; daughter Betty (Patrick) and grandchildren Kelsey and Cole, Rebecca and Shelby. Ann also leaves to mourn her loving younger brother Henry Epp, extended family and friends. Memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street. If one so wishes, donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 27, 2016