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Unruh, Abe J. (1895-1987)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 29 Jan 1987 p. 6
Birth date: 1895
text of obituary:
Montezuma, Kan. — Abe J. Unruh, author of The Helpless Poles, died Jan. 20 at Bethel Home here at the age of 91. Funeral services were held Jan. 23 from the Montezuma Church of God in Christ, Mennonite.
Unruh's history of the Russian Mennonites who migrated to the U.S. and joined John Holdeman's church was published in 1973. He also translated several volumes from the German language, including Tobias Unruh's diary, and compiled several volumes of stories for children.
He helped establish several mutual aid programs in the church, including Christian Hospital Aid, Brotherhood Automobile Aid and their umbrella program, Mennonite Union Aid. He served as secretary of MUA for many years.
After moving to the Montezuma area in 1920, he helped establish a Friday evening children's Bible school, which was the predecessor of the Montezuma congregation's Sunday school. He also conducted a German school at Montezuma and led training sessions for young men going into alternative service.
Unruh was born on April 26, 1895, near Marion, S. D. He was baptized in 1916 at Lone Tree Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, near Galva, Kan., by Tobias A. Unruh.
In 1917, he was married to Lizzie Unruh, who died in 1971. His survivors include four sons, three daughters, a daughter-in-law, 22 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Feb 1987 p. 11