It is with great sadness to relay the passing of Bud Epp.
Bud has always been an active member of harness racing in Wisconsin is a member of the Wisconsin Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
He will be deeply missed by all.
Bud Epp, age 85 of Rice Lake, WI passed away Friday, November 22, 2013.
He was born April 18th 1928 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Gus and Annabel (Davis) Epp. His family later moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he attended school and he then entered the United States Navy and served in WWII. On August 28, 1945 he married Elmira “Mike” Hergert at Marysville, KS. As a young family they made many moves, l...iving at times in Colorado, Arkansas, back to Nebraska and to Cloquet, MN before coming to Rice Lake, WI. He was a cattle dealer for many years and owned and operated the Rice Lake Livestock Auction barn. It was built in 1960 and burned down in 1968. While he did not rebuild, he stayed very active in the cattle business up until 2005. He had a real passion for harness horses and was very involved in the sport of racing. This “hobby” became a second business. He was involved in the endeavor for 50+ years. He loved to talk “horse” to anyone and was always trying to help people become involved in the sport. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Harness Horse Hall of Fame in 2007.
He is survived by 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Craig Buergi of Rice Lake, WI and Linda and David Leapley of Stafford, VA; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Margaret Epp of Elkhorn, WI and James and Rita Epp of Davenport, Florida; 7 grandchildren, Todd McKenry, Sandra Insko (Tom), Michelle Legge Epp (Scott), Dee Sands (Marty), James Epp (Kou), Anne Epp and Kristin Epp; 4 great-grandchildren, Danielle Fink, Joshua Fink, Alyssa Sands and Kiera Sands; a brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Irene Epp of Lincoln, Nebraska; a sister, Marilyn Allen of Lincoln, Nebraska; 2 sisters-in-law, Shirley Epp and Carol Epp both of Lincoln, Nebraska; very special companions, Joan Swanson and Snicker of Rice Lake; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elmira “Mike” Epp; his parents, Gus and Annabel Epp and his 3 brothers, Richard, Charles and Larry Epp.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the United Presbyterian Church in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 4 - 8 PM Tuesday at Appleyard's Home for Funerals and one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church on Wednesday.
He was born April 18th 1928 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Gus and Annabel (Davis) Epp. His family later moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where he attended school and he then entered the United States Navy and served in WWII. On August 28, 1945 he married Elmira “Mike” Hergert at Marysville, KS. As a young family they made many moves, l...iving at times in Colorado, Arkansas, back to Nebraska and to Cloquet, MN before coming to Rice Lake, WI. He was a cattle dealer for many years and owned and operated the Rice Lake Livestock Auction barn. It was built in 1960 and burned down in 1968. While he did not rebuild, he stayed very active in the cattle business up until 2005. He had a real passion for harness horses and was very involved in the sport of racing. This “hobby” became a second business. He was involved in the endeavor for 50+ years. He loved to talk “horse” to anyone and was always trying to help people become involved in the sport. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Harness Horse Hall of Fame in 2007.
He is survived by 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Craig Buergi of Rice Lake, WI and Linda and David Leapley of Stafford, VA; 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Margaret Epp of Elkhorn, WI and James and Rita Epp of Davenport, Florida; 7 grandchildren, Todd McKenry, Sandra Insko (Tom), Michelle Legge Epp (Scott), Dee Sands (Marty), James Epp (Kou), Anne Epp and Kristin Epp; 4 great-grandchildren, Danielle Fink, Joshua Fink, Alyssa Sands and Kiera Sands; a brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Irene Epp of Lincoln, Nebraska; a sister, Marilyn Allen of Lincoln, Nebraska; 2 sisters-in-law, Shirley Epp and Carol Epp both of Lincoln, Nebraska; very special companions, Joan Swanson and Snicker of Rice Lake; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elmira “Mike” Epp; his parents, Gus and Annabel Epp and his 3 brothers, Richard, Charles and Larry Epp.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the United Presbyterian Church in Rice Lake. Visitation will be held from 4 - 8 PM Tuesday at Appleyard's Home for Funerals and one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church on Wednesday.
