Unruh, Susie Warkentin (1882-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Feb 2 p. 5

Birth date: 1882 Oct 11

— A large congregation attended funeral services at the Alexanderwohl church Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Susie Unruh, widow of the late Rev. P. H. Unruh, minister and elder of the church for many years. The services were conducted by Rev. Phil A. Wedel and Rev. D. J. Unruh. Mrs. Unruh passed away at her home in Goessel Saturday evening after a long illness. She is survived by a daughter, Velma, and a son, Elmer, both of Goessel.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Feb 23 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. P. H. UNRUH

Mrs. Susie Warkentin Unruh, the youngest child in the family of Jacob and Katharina Sommerfield Warkentin, was born in Marion county, Kansas October 11, 1882.

Her childhood and youth was spent in the home of her parents who passed to their heavenly reward within the same week in 1903. She received her education in the Hochfeld school.

On May 21, 1899, she was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Christ as her personal Saviour by the Elder Peter Balzer and received into the fellowship of the Alexanderwohl church, of which the remained a faithful member until her death.

She was united in holy matrimony to Peter H. Unruh, the former elder of this church, on August 13, 1905, by Rev. Heinrich Banman.

This union was blessed with two children: Elmer W. Unruh of Newton, Kansas, and Velma, Mrs. Milford Franz, of the home. To her joy two grandchildren were added to the family: Donald Eugene Unruh and Janis Ileen [sic Eileen] Unruh. Donald Eugene preceded her in death on Jan 23, 1934.

For 38 years they were privileged to share joy and sorrow. On July 20, 1943, her husband was called home by the Lord. She quietly bore her grief and sorrow with a growing longing to go home herself. It was a great joy to her when the church observed their 25th wedding anniversary in August 1930.

She was active in church as Sunday school teacher, in sewing circles and mission work. Her home was a place of hospitality, especially during the 38 years when her husband was with her and in the service of the Lord in his church. Many who came and went, received a blessing from her quiet and unassuming way of life,

In 1942 her health began to fail due to cancer but she remained active in the church and home activities as long as her strength permitted. In her simple Christ like faith she accepted her lot without complaining. She greatly appreciated what the church and friends did for her during the time of her suffering. After it became impossible for her to attend church, it gave her great joy and blessing to have the church services brought into her own home by the public address system, made available to her through the kindness of the Men’s Gospel chorus.

Though her condition was almost unbearable she was not bedfast until the last few days. On Saturday morning, Jan. 28, she was taken to the Bethesda hospital where she was to receive better medical care. That same day her Heavenly Father answered her prayer, relieving her of her physical burden at 7:45 p. m. Her attitude was “I cannot always understand my Heavenly Father but he makes no mistake and will go with me through the valley and shadow of death.”

She reached the age of 87 years, three months, and 27 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure one son, one daughter, and one granddaughter: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer W. Unruh and daughter, Janis Ileen [sic Eileen] of Newton, Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Franz of the home; one sister, Mrs. Peter Buller of Goessel, Kansas; two brothers, John Warkentin, Newton, and Aaron H. Warkentin Goessel; three brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, and her nephew, Jacob Rempel, Gotebo, Oklahoma, who was reared in the parental home; and many friends and relatives.

The funeral service was held on Jan. 31, at 1:00 at the home and 2:00 in the Alexanderwohl church. The Gospel Men's chorus sang "Jesus loves Me," which had been Mrs. Unruh's favorite song. Rev. P. A. Wedel brought a comforting message using as his text Rev. 14:13. The male quartet sang “Will It Be So Very Long Till The Morning." Rev. D. J. Unruh, Newton, also brought a message. His text was II Tim 4:6-8.

The pallbearers were Ralph Schmidt, Lowell Warkentin, Alvin Schroeder, Henry Buller, Adolf Schroeder, and Gus Unruh.