Unruh, Abe J. (1895-1987)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 29 Jan 1987 p. 6

Birth date: 1895

text of obituary:

Holdeman Author Dies at Montezuma

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

text of obituary:

ABE J. UNRUH

Abe J. Unruh was born April 26, 1895, to John S. and Elizabeth Deckert Unruh near Silver Lake at Marion, S.D. He died on Jan. 20, 1987, at Bethel Home in Montezuma, Kan., at the age of 91.

He was four years old when his parents moved to McPherson County, Kan., where he received his education.

He sought the Lord and found forgiveness of his sins when he was a young man and was baptized by Elder Tobias A. Unruh in March 1916 at Lonetree, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. He cherished his faith and remained steadfast and faithful to this conviction to the end.

He married Lizzie Unruh on May 28, 1917, at Galva, Kan. They moved to rural Montezuma in 1920 and spent the rest of their life in that area. They retired to Montezuma in 1957.

He had many interests, including an appreciation of church history and the struggle of his forefathers who had left Russia. He spent 30 years collecting data for his book, "The Helpless Poles," and other books.

He was instrumental in establishing the Mennonite Union Aid program and served as its secretary for many years. Together with G. W. Giesbrecht, he established home Bible schools for children before the Montezuma Sunday school was organized.

He was Sunday school teacher and served on various boards and committees throughout his life.

In 1985 he moved to the self-care unit at Bethel Home, where he lived until two weeks before his death.

Left to treasure his memory are four sons and their wives, John B. and Corine, Dave R. and Vadalene, and Frank D. and Donita all of Montezuma, and Bob H. and Donna of Sun City, Ariz; three daughters, Lillian (Mrs. John R.) Koehn of Montezuma, lnez Unruh of Greeley, Colo., and Mrs. Esther Unruh of Montezuma; 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; and two brothers, Ike Unruh of Greensburg and Dave Unruh of Galva.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lizzie, in January 1971, a son, Vernon, two granddaughters, a great-granddaughter, three brothers and six sisters.

Transcribed by Ralph Shetler, Oregon