Unruh, Peter H. (1881-1943)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1943 Aug 10 p. 15

Birth date: 1881 Jan 23

text of obituary:

Aelt. Peter H. Unruh wurde geboren den 23 Januar 1881 in McPherson County, Kansas. Er war der älteste Sohn von Peter P. und Anna Klassen Unruh. Nach der Distrikt-Schule besuchte er Lehrer Balzers Privatschule und dann Bethel College, wo er unter seinem vielgeliebten Lehrer C. H. Wedel Bibel-Unterricht und wohl die Grundlage für seinen festen Glauben an die Bibel als das eingegebene Wort Gottes erhielt; und er scheute sich nicht es zu bekennen. Am 26. Mai 1901 wurde er von Aeltester Peter Balzer getauft und in die Alexanderwohl Gemeinde aufgenommen deren treues Glied er auch blieb. Am 13. August 1905 trat er mit Susie Warkentin in den Stand heiliger Ehe. Aeltester Heinrich Banman vollzog die Trauhandlung. Diese Ehe wurde mit 2 Kindern gesegnet. Nachdem er mehrere Jahre Schule gehalten hatte wurde er am 26. Dezember 1908 von Rev. David Goerz als Evangelist, am 26. Dezember 1910 als Prediger und am 11. April 1915 von Aeltester H. Banman als Aelteser ordiniert. Am 23. November 1922 wurde er von der Allgemeinen Konferenz nach Rußland gesandt als Vertreter in der Hilfsarbeit wegen der großen Hungersnot. Durch Gottes Gnade kehrte er am 12. Juni 1923 zu seiner Familie zurück und nahm wieder die große Arbeit in der Gemeinde auf. Im August 1930 feierte die Gemeinde die Silberhochzeit der Geschwister Unruh, welches ihnen viel Freude machte. Sieben Jahre hat er der Gemeinde als Prediger und 28 Jahre als Aeltester gedient. Neben der Gemeindearbeit hatte er noch andere anstrengende Aufgaben zu verrichten. Zur Zeit des ersten Weltkrieges war er Glied des Mennonitischen Friedenskomitees, was ihn in Verkehr mit verschiedenen Regierunsbeamten brachte wegen des Glaubensbekenntnisses der Mennoniten. Mit der Organisation des Mennonitischen Central Komitees war er eng verbunden und hat hier in verschiedenen Aemtern gedient. Zur Zeit seines Abscheidens war er Vize Präsident. Hierzu brauchte er viel Weisheit von oben, die ihm auch gegeben wurde. Auch diente er als Glied des Komitees für Innere Mission der Westlichen Distrikt-Konferenz. Er war immer willig zu dienen und sah das als seine Pflicht an. Im Mai 1942 fing seine Gesundheit an zu versagen und er mußte eine Zeitlang alle Arbeit niederlegen; doch durch Gottes Gnade durfte er noch wieder im neuen Jahre seine Arbeit voll aufnehmen. Am 27. Juni hielt er seine letzte Predigt und hatte auch seine Predigt für Sonntag den 18. Juli fertig, die er aber nicht mehr gegeben hat, da die Versammlung des schlechten Wetters wegen abgesagt wurde. An Atemnot hat er im letzten Jahr, besonders des Nachts schwer gelitten. Er hatte ein tiefes Sehnen heim zu gehen. Oft sagte er, “O Welt ich bin dein müde.” Dieser Wunsch wurde ihm auch erfüllt und am 20. Juli halb 6 Uhr morgens rief der Herr seinen Diener heim in Alter von 62 J. 6 M. und 20 Tagen. Im Ehestand gelebt 37 Jahre. Besonders schwer war es für den Verstorbenen als sein erstes Großkind Donald Eugene Unruh, durch ein Unglück ums Leben kam. Doch konnte er Gottes Hand auch darin sehen. Er hinterläßt seine tief trauernde Gattin, Tochter Velma, daheim, und Sohn Elmer Unruh nebst Gattin und Großtochter Janis Eileen, Moundridge, Kansas; dazu drei Schwestern und zwei Brüder: Mrs. Carl Schmidt und Gatten, Newton, Kansas; Augusta und Loise Unruh, Newton, Kansas; Rev. und Mrs. H. T. Unruh, Hillsboro, Kansas; und Mr. und Mrs. John W. Unruh, Newton, Kansas; Zwei [sic] Onkel: Mr. P. P. Klassen, Newton, und Rev. Peter Buller, Gössel, Kansas; ferner drei Tanten: Mrs. J. K. Regier, Buhler, und Mrs. D. J. Regier, Newton, Kansas, und Mrs. D. P. Unruh, Goessel, Kansas; und viele Freunde. Auf dem Begräbnis am 23. Juli dienten die Prediger C. C. Wedel, deutsch, Text Hosea 6: 1; P. H. Richert, englisch, Text Hebr. 13: 7, und P. C. Hiebert als Vertreter des MCC, englisch, über Sprüche 10: 7. Zwischenein sang der Chor, “Laß mich geh’n”, “Haven of Rest”, und “Be still, my Soul.”

“Die Welt ist mein Heimat nicht:
Mein Herze ist nicht hier;
Du Heimat überm Himmelszelt,
Mein Herze ist bei dir!”

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1943 Jul 22 p. 1

text of obituary:

Elder P. H. Unruh Of Alexanderwohl Called Away in Death

SUCCUMBED TO HEART AILMENT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING AT HIS HOME

Rev. P. H. Unruh, elder of the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, widely known minister and conference official, died at his home at Goessel early Tuesday morning. Although suffering from an heart ailment for more than a year, his death came unexpectedly and as a shock to his large circle of relatives and friends.

Having some business here, he came to Newton on Monday and on the same evening also drove out to his farm for a short visit with his son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Unruh and daughter near Moundridge. Before retiring for the night he said he was feeling quite well and expected a good night. Death, however, came unexpectedly around five o'clock in the morning.

Active in Relief Work

Rev. Unruh's last business in Newton was in connection with the Emergency Relief Board of the General Conference, of which he was treasurer. In this regard his perspective was of world-wide scope. He served as Mennonite relief commissioner in Russia during the great famine there in 1922 and 23 and the needs of suffering humanity were always near to his heart. He was also a member of the Mennonite Central Committee, of which he was vice-president and to which he has unstintingly given his time and energy.

He was elected as evangelist in the Alexanderwohl church Oct. 31, 1908, and ordained by Rev. David Goertz. Later he was ordained into the full ministry Dec. 26, 1910. He became elder of the church on April 14, 1915. His last sermon to his congregation he preached on Sunday morning, June 27, as a special message to the young people on the subject, "Does the Youth of Today Have a Future?" He had expected also to preach a sermon on a similar subject last Sunday but services were cancelled because of the unusually heavy rain.

Other Life Interests

Besides his work in the church and conference, he devoted himself to a variety of other activities, foremost of which were colonization and publication. Since the organization of the Herald Publishing company in 1920, he was a member of its board of directors continuously until early this year, when he requested to be released from the board because of ill health. From 1936 to 12940 he served as president of the company.

His many friends here and in other communities will miss his friendly smile and his well-prepared thorough, and Spirit-directed sermons.

Peter H. Unruh was born Januury 23, 1881, at Goessel, Kansas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Unruh, both of whom have preceded him in death. He reached the age of 62 years. Except for short intervals he spent all of his life in the community where he was born.

He is survived by his deeply sorrowing wife, one son, Elmer, and one daughter, Velma, at home; one daughter-in-law, and one granddaughter; two brothers, Rev. H. T. Unruh, Hillsboro and John W. Unruh, Newton; thee sisters, Mrs. Karl Schmidt near Goessel, and Misses Augusta and Louise, both of Newton.

Funeral Services Friday

Funeral services for the departed minister and elder will be held Friday afternoon, at 1:30 at the home and at 2:30 at the Alexanderwohl church.

The Review, as well as all members of the Herald Publishing Co. organization extend sincere and heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family..

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The Mennonite obituary: 1943 Aug 3 p. 1

Text of obituary:

Life Story of Peter H. Unruh

Rev. Peter H. Unruh, eldest son of Peter P. and Anna Klassen Unruh, was born January 23, 1881, in McPherson County, Kansas. His early schooling he received in the public schools of that community, as well as in a private school under Elder Peter Balzer. Later he continued his education at Bethel College where he graduated. He especially valued his religious instruction under Prof. C. H. Wedel. This work laid the foundation for his unwavering faith in the Bible as the inspired word of God, which was always characteristic of his pastoral duties.

May 26, 1901, he was baptized by Elder Peter Balzer and so became a member of the Alexanderwohl Church and remained a faithful member until death ended this membership. August 13, 1905, he was united in holy matrimony with Susie Warkentin. Rev. H. Banman united them in marriage. This union was blessed with two children. For a number of years he taught in public schools. In October, 1906, he received a call through the church to be an evangelist. Two years later on Dec. 26, 1910, he was ordained as minister and in April, 1915, as Elder of the Alexanderwohl Church be the then officiating Elder H. Banman. During the period of great suffering and starvation in Russia in the year 1922 he was sent there by the General Conference as one of the representatives in that great work of relief. God's protecting hand keeping him, he returned in June, 1923, to the joy of his family circle and relatives and again resumed his strenuous duties as Elder of the church he loved so dearly.

He with his family highly appreciated the celebration of their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary by the church.

He has served the church as minister for seven years and twenty-eight years as Elder, a total of thirty-five years. These years were years of deep experience for him, deepening his faith in a loving heavenly Father whose work it was and a people in whom he had faith.

For him it was a rose but not without its thorns. His work reached far beyond his local church duties, and the joy of working called him far and near. During the first world war he was a member of the Conference Peace Committee. In this he contacted government officials, and it led him fur- [sic, words missing] into a deeper study of Mennonite history and Mennonite principles. At the time of his death he was vice president of the Mennonite Central Committee and treasurer of the Emergency Relief Committee. He also gladly and faithfully served on many committees of the various conferences. His cheerful and willing way of serving when asked—which he accepted as his duty—will long be remembered.

In May, 1942, he as well as his family noticed his failing health. Medical aid was solicited and he had to retire from his activities for a short period. However, as he expressed it, through the grace of God he soon entered into his full work again, preaching his last sermon on June 27 last. He expected to preach a sermon based on the text of Matt. 10: 18, 19, 20 on July 18. The sermon was intended for the young people and was entitled "What shall we do when we come into a tight place." However, a heavy rain made it impossible to have service that Sunday.

During the last year he had breathing difficulties, especially during the night. This caused him much suffering. However, he displayed a marvelous courage facing his condition, which he realized was serious. And so he remained cheerful and active to the very end. He often expressed his desire to be relieved from the hour of distress and suffering. This his Heavenly Father granted him on July 20, 5:30 in the morning. He reached the age of sixty-two years, six months, and twenty days.

Thirty-seven years were spent in happy married home life. Although his life was characterized by Christian cheer and joy, he was deeply moved by the loss of his first and only grandson through a tragic accident. He accepted it as God's good will and perfect way.

He is mourned by his bereaved wife; one daughter, Velma at home; one son, Elmer W., and daughter-in-law Esther; one granddaughter, Janis Ileen; three sisters, Mrs. Carl Schmidt and husband, Newton; Augusta and Loise of Newton; two brothers and wives, Rev. and Mrs. H. T. Unruh, Hillsboro, and John W. Unruh and wife of Newton; two uncles, P. P. Klassen, Newton, and Rev. Peter Buller, Goessel; three aunts, Mrs. John K. Regier, Buhler, Mrs. D. J. Regier, Newton, and Mrs. D. P. Unruh, Goessel, and an unlimited circle of friends and acquaintances who remember his friendly face. The sorrowing family expressed its gratitude for all remembrances in gifts, words, and otherwise.

There's an open gate at the end of the road
Through which each must go alone,
And there in a light we cannot see
Our Father claims His own;
Beyond the gate our loved one
Finds happiness and rest
And there is comfort in the thought
That a loving God knows best.