Neil David Epp was born August 15, 1977 to David and Sonja (Grossoehme) Epp at Norfolk, NE.  He attended school in Marion, SD and then moved with his family to Carroll, IA, Mitchell, SD, Delano, MN and then back to Mitchell where he graduated from Mitchell High School in 1996.  Following graduation he worked various jobs including Mueller Lumber in Mitchell and Wrap-It in Howard.  Pursuing his life long dream of being an over-the-road truck driver, he attended and graduated from Western Dakota Technical Institute at Rapid City on May 17, 2001.  He began his trucking career with Holiday Express at Esterville, IA, then Transport Design Inc. at Savage, MN and Crete Carriers  Inc. at Crete, NE.  At one point in his trucking career, he covered 47 states in 3 months.  Neil completed 7 years of driving without any infractions.  He received several safety and fuel efficiency awards; twice, receiving the Driver of the Quarter Award.

Neil was passionate about wild life, especially turtles and ducks.  He went out of his way to save turtles and get the wayward ones he would find on the highway back to water.   Since he was 2 years old he was fascinated with trucks, wrangling rides when he could and he always knew he wanted to be an over-the-road truck driver.

He is survived by his parents of Mitchell; a brother, Steve Epp of Mitchell; and his paternal grandfather, Walter Epp of Freeman; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Neil was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Bob and Wilma Grossoehme and paternal grandmother, Catherine Epp.