Unruh, Henry P. (1874-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Aug 6 p. 9

Birth date: 1874 Feb 28

text of obituary:

HENRY P. UNRUH

Henry P. Unruh, our beloved husband and father, was born to Peter B. and Anna Frey Unruh on Feb. 28, 1874, in Poland, Russia in the village of Heinrichdorf. He was permitted to enter into the blessed presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the portals of death on July 14, 1953, at 5:30 p.m. at his home near Durham, Kansas. He reached the age of 79 years, four months and 14 days.

At an early age of six months he came with his parents to America, settling in the state of Ohio and later at the age of three settling on the prairies of Kansas near Galva. As a young man he accepted Christ as his Savior, and on Nov. 27, 1910, in obedience to Christ's command was baptized by Rev. H. R. Voth and received into the fellowship of the Friedenstal church at Tampa, Kansas. He remained a faithful member of this church till death.

He joined hands in wedlock with Amelia Schmidt on April 28, 1898, and they had the privilege of celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in 1948. Eleven children were born to this union. One son and two daughters preceded him in death.

He followed the occupation of farming and the Lord has blessed his labors. Father has always been a quiet man with a quiet disposition. He has encountered many disappointments, difficulties and battles in life but now has overcome all and is with the Lord. He was always willing to serve his friends and community and served on the school board a number of years and on the Township Board approximately 45 years. It is not necessary to shower flowers and rose petals on the path he has walked; the hours of hard work, the many prayers, and the many kindnesses that father has done for us, linger in our memory and have created an impression that will last much longer than flowers or the scent of any rose.

He had always enjoyed good health until on June 12, 1953, when he took ill and the next day was taken to the Goessel hospital. However he recovered sufficiently so that he was able to go home. On July 14, at noon, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which left him unconscious. At 5:30 he breathed his last and was permitted to leave his tabernacle of clay quietly and peacefully without apparent suffering.

He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, eight children, Edward of Warroad, Minn., Margaret, (Mrs. William Van Valkenburg) of Admire, Kansas, Alice, (Mrs. Walter Ratzlaff) Lehigh, Kansas, Wesley of Durham, Kansas, Martha, (Mrs. Ed Beemer) Emporia, Kansas, Orpha, (Mrs. Emil Dirks) Tampa, Kansas, Walter and Ralph of Durham; four daughters-in-law, four sons-in-law, 33 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, five brothers, five sisters, and a host of relatives and friends.

We mourn this loss and sorrow; yet not as those who have no hope. We are laying him to rest in the sure hope of a reunion and a glorious resurrection, for those that have fallen asleep in Jesus, God shall bring with Him in that last day. “When we shall know as we are known, never more to walk alone; At the dawning of the morning of that bright and happy day, We shall know each other better, when the mists have rolled away.” — The Family.