Earl Stacy Epps

Earl Stacy Epps, age 81, passed away on May 17, 2023, surrounded by his family after battling cancer. He was born to Stacy and Frances Epps on June 3, 1941, in Alameda, California.

A private burial will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Nebraska.

Earl graduated from Vallejo High School in 1959 and began working at Kaiser Steel as a welder. He later worked as an apprentice machinist at Knopp, Inc. His good friend said, Southern Pacific Railroad out of Oakland, California, was hiring and as of Sept. 1962, he began as a switchman and brakeman and later ended his 42-year career as a conductor for Union Pacific, retiring in February 2002.

On Nov. 2, 1963, Earl married the love of his life, Marian Novacek. Together they had two sons, Mike of Chugiak, Alaska and Mark of Roseburg, Oregon.

Their love of travel took them around the world for 29 years, visiting many countries. Earl also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. When late summer came he headed to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut.

His family knew he was a product of his generation. Earl was a hard man who softened with age. He believed in hard work, providing for his family and enjoying the simple things in life. He found joy in learning about genealogy and looked forward to sharing his findings with all his family. Earl spent a great deal of time on Tenmile Lake, fishing, barbequing, and tending to the family's cabin.

For the majority of his life, you wouldn't see him anywhere without his dog, especially around 3 p.m. when he checked the pasture and cattle before cooling off with his ever-so-typical Miller Lite. We will miss his crooked smile, quick wit and ability to make us laugh.

He is survived by his wife Marian of 59 years, sons Mike and Mark (Kim), grandkids Megan, Mike Jr., Kristen and twins Michelle and Mariah, plus five great-grandkids.

Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Amedisys Hospice for making his final days more comfortable. Additional thanks to all our family and friends for your thoughts, prayers, cards and meals.