Johanna Epp

1943 - 2026

Henderson, Neb., resident Johanna Christine "Chriss" (Seatom) Epp, 82, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Bryan Medical Center West Campus in Lincoln, Neb.

A private family service will be conducted on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, Neb. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m., Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, Neb. In honoring her wish to be cremated, there will not be a visitation or viewing.

In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions, please bring memories to share.

Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.

Johanna Christine "Chriss" (Seaton) Epp, was born in St. Joseph, Mo., on May 30, 1943. Shortly thereafter, she was lovingly adopted by The Honorable Frederick A. Seaton and his wife, Gladys (Dowd) Seaton.

Chriss spent the first part of her life in Hastings, Neb., where she developed a love of all things horses. Chriss and her family then moved to Washington, D.C., while her father served in the United States Senate and as a Cabinet Member in President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Administration. While on the East Coast, Chriss continued to develop her equestrian skills and enjoyed competing in various circuits and on her high school teams. She often spoke of the wonderful experiences she had while showing at the Washington International Horse Show, the Denver Stock Show, and the American Royal Horse Show.

Upon her family's return to Nebraska, Chriss graduated from Hastings Senior High School in 1962. She then obtained her Associate's Degree from Stephens College, where she also competed on their equestrian team.

On July 29, 1964, Chriss married Maynard J. Epp and moved to rural Henderson, Neb., where they raised their three children.

Chriss shared her love of horses with her family and cultivated many friendships across the country during her and her daughter's continued involvement showing horses.

After they retired, she and Maynard bought a house in Maui, Hawaii, where they enjoyed nearly 20 winters, escaping from the Nebraska weather.

Chriss was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Don Seaton and Alfred Seaton.

Left to cherish Chriss' memory are her husband of 61 years, Maynard; son, Bryan Epp; son, Shawn Epp and his wife, Heather; daughter, Jodie Williams, her husband, Wayne Trudeau, and children, Aubrey, Chandler, and Makenna Williams; and sister, Monica Seaton.