Duane Epp

Services for Duane L. Epp, 77, of Beatrice, were Tuesday, May 26, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Beatrice.  Burial was in Evergreen Home Cemetery with military rites by the U.S. Marines and the Bitting Norman Post No. 27 of the American Legion, Beatrice. 
Mr. Epp died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Bryan LGH in Lincoln, Neb.
He was born March 6, 1932, at Holdrege, Neb., the son of Abe and Clara (Voss) Epp. He graduated from York High School in 1950. 
Mr. Epp obtained his undergraduate degree from Bethel College in Newton, Kan., and his master’s degree from the University of Nebraska.  His career in teaching and coaching began in Gresham, Neb., after which he taught and coached at Plymouth, Adams, Milford and Beatrice. 
He led the six-man football team at Plymouth to two consecutive state championships.  His eight-man teams at Adams also were tremendously successful in both football and track.  He also coached American Legion baseball teams. 
After obtaining his master’s degree in special education, Mr. Epp taught physical education to students at the Martin Luther Home (now Mosaic), Beatrice State Developmental Center and special education in the Beatrice public school system where he also coached girls track and assisted in coaching in other sports.   
Mr. Epp retired from teaching after 32 years and then maintained the grounds at the Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center for several years. 
Mr. Epp was proud to have served his country as a U.S. Marine and continued his service by assembling honor guards for numerous funerals and parades in the area. 
He was a member of the Desert Storm Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 27, and Homestead Early Risers Kiwanis Club. 
Mr. Epp was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church for more than 40 years.  He was a commissioned Stephens Minister, counseling and supporting several members of the community through challenging life situations.  He also was a member of Lutheran Men in Missions, an usher, and served as member of the Church Council and on other committees.
On Aug. 9, 1959, he married Kathleen Pohlmann in rural Plymouth, Neb. She survives.
A son, Brian Lee, died in infancy.
Other survivors include two sons Daniel, San Francisco, and James and wife, Janelle, Bonner Springs; two grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Patsy and Jim Holm, St. Louis, Nyla and Paul Graf, Clearlake, Texas, Kathryn Stock, Gary and Dianne Epp, and Donnell and Ken Lambertus, all of Littleton, Colo.. 
Harman-Wright Mortuary, Beatrice, Neb., was in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be left at harmanwrightmortuary.com.