Unruh, Maria Schmidt (1878-1960)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 May 26 P. 6

Birth date: 1878 Aug 24

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Maria Unruh, 81, a resident of the Buhler community for 65 years, died Sunday night at the Bethel Deaconess hospital here after a long illness. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Buhler Mennonite Brethren church, of which she was a member. Mrs. Unruh is survived by a brother, Rev. Andrew A. Schmidt, of Elbing and now a patient at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital, a half-brother, Henry Schmidt, and a half-sister, Mrs. Justina Loeffler, both of Elbing.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1960 Jun 2 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. D. W. UNRUH

Maria Schmidt Unruh was born to Andraes [sicAndreas] and Suzanna [sic Susanna] Schmidt in Harvey county, Kansas on August 24, 1878.

She spent her childhood and received her early elementary training in Pleasant township, Harvey county, Kansas.

At the age of 13 she recognized her lost condition before the Lord in meetings which were conducted by lay preachers from Hillsboro in homes and schools. She found forgiveness of her sins, and was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Christ Jesus on Nov.19, 1899. With her husband, she was received into the fellowship of the Zoar K.M.B. church near Inman. Later they transferred their membership to the Missionary church in Elbing. On May 29, 1921, they brought their membership to the Mennonite Brethren church at Buhler, Kansas, whose faithful member she remained until her recent home-going.

On June 25, 1896, she was united in marriage to David W. Unruh. They settled on a farm northwest of Buhler where they resided until about 1947 when they moved to Buhler. Later they moved their farm home into Buhler for their final residence. To this union were born six children, all of whom except Helena preceded them in death in infancy. Her husband was taken from her side in 1945, and her daughter Helena went to be with her Lord in 1947. These departures left her very lonely. Their marriage was a span of 49 years.

Aunt Mary was of a friendly and cheerful disposition. She found much joy in spiritual fellowship with the saints, and participated enthusiastically in praises to the Lord in prayer services and otherwise. Her heart was warm towards foreign missions, which she also supported generously.

She loved music and had many choice hymn and songs, among which were “This World is Not My Home,” “He Will Hold Me Fast,” “The Holy City,” “So Nimm Dem Meine Haende,” “Von Der Erde Reisz Mich Losz.” some of these were sung to her during the last hours of her life. Her response to the eternal truths in these songs was one of assurance and confidence.

Scripture also meant much to her, and she derived a great deal of spiritual encouragement from the meditations and discussions of the Sunday school lessons with several of the ladies of the church regularly each week end. This fellowship meant much to her especially since her eyesight was failing considerably.

Sister Mary was healthy most of her life and worked hard on the farm as well as in town. She also had her share of physical testing, but on a number of occasions experienced the healing touch of the Lord when she sought Him during severe illness. During recent years she often expressed her desire to go to the Lord and to be where her family had gone. This longing she realized on Sunday, May 22, at 10:45 p.m., when her soul slipped into the presence of the Lord. She had been admitted to Bethel hospital, Newton, only a little more than 24 hours earlier. She attained the age of 81 years, eight months and 28 days.

Though our hearts are pained at this time of parting, we yet rejoice in the assurance that she has entered into her eternal reward, and into the presence of Him whom her soul longed to see. — The Family.