Unruh, Elizabeth Dirks (1877-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Nov 27 p. 3

Birth date: 1877 Aug 12

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. Ben Unruh, long-time resident of the Avon, S. D. community, died at a Yankton hospital Nov. 13 at the age of 81. Funeral services were held at the Friedensburg Mennonite church south of Avon.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Dec 4 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. BEN A. UNRUH

Elizabeth Dirks Unruh, daughter of Henry and Elsie B. Dirks, was born August 12, 1877, in Lancaster, Penna. She died Nov. 13, 1958, at the age of 81 years.

In 1894, as a young girl, she came to South Dakota with her parents, brothers and sisters. She made her home in the Avon community until her death.

She was united in marriage to Ben A. Unruh on Jan. 13, 1897. Five children were born to them: Emma, Mrs. Albert Lydtke [sic Lidtke], who preceded her mother in death; Esther, Mrs. Joseph Becker, and Elsie, Mrs. Reuben Becker, both of Marion, S. D.; Dorothy, Mrs. Arthur Graham, of Daytona Beach, Florida; and John of Avon, S. D.

Mrs. Unruh is survived by her husband, four children, two sisters and three brothers: Mrs. Ben H. Boese of Vona, Colo.; Mrs. Henry Ewert of Avon, S. D.; John Dirks of Wakonda, S. D.; Harry Dirks of Upland, Calif.; and Ben Dirks, of Miami, Florida. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of friends and acquaintances in this and surrounding communities.

Mr. and Mrs. Unruh enjoyed the bliss of a peaceful married life for nearly 62 years. theirs was a home open at all times for the fellowship and rest of ministers, missionaries, and friends. Elizabeth and her companion did not spare themselves in supporting their church in generous ways. She proved to be a loving, unselfish wife to her husband, a sympathetic, loving mother to her children, a helpful friend to all mankind. She loved her Bible and cultivated a deep prayer life. At the age of 15 years she made her decision to accept Christ as her Saviour, and was confirmed in The Mennonite Church of Our Saviour on Oct. 16, 1892, by the late Bishop Isaac Ely in Penna.

Mrs. Unruh entered Sacred Heart hospital at Yankton on Oct. 19, 1958, and after a severe cerebral hemorrhage, she was called to her eternal Home. Her departure is a crushing blow to her faithful husband and children, but they mourn not as those who have no hope. They believe in the Resurrection and in God, in whom they have put their trust.

Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon, Nov. 17, 1958, at 1:15 in the Crosby funeral home at Avon, S. D. Music was furnished by a male quartet consisting of Albert and Leonard Ratcliff, Henry Becker and Harold Hornstra, with Mrs. Alb. Ratzlaff accompanist. Rev. Edward Duerksen, a former pastor, made remarks. Services were concluded in the Freidensburg [sic Friedensburg] Mennonite church at 2 o'clock with the male quartet furnishing special songs. Mrs. Ben Krug played the piano prelude and the postlude. Rev. E. Reimer from Springfield, S. D. and Rev. Emil Krahm, pastor of the church, made comforting remarks.