Unruh, Abraham H. (1884-1951)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1951 Nov 22 p. 9

Birth date: 1884 Feb 10

text of obituary:

ARBAHAM [sic ABRAHAM] H. UNRUH

Abraham H. Unruh, son of Min. Peter A. and Susanna Unruh, was born Feb. 10, 1884, near Canton in McPherson county, Kansas, and went to his reward in the evening of Oct. 27, 1951, at his home near Hesston, reaching the age of 67 years, eight months and 17 days.

He grew to manhood in the county of his birth and lived there all of his life with the exception of several years in Marion county. In his youth he chose Christ as his personal Saviour and cast his lot with the people of God, being baptized upon the confession of his faith on March 28, 1909, by Elder Tobias Unruh, becoming a member of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, to which he remained faithful to the end.

On Jan. 23, 1910, he was joined in marriage to Elizabeth Wenger of near Moundridge. This union was blessed with 11 children, seven sons and four daughters. After 19 years of joys, blessings and sorrows, his dear companion was suddenly taken from him on Jan. 22, 1929, leaving him a widower with a large family of children to care for. In March 1930 he was united in marriage to Sarah Holdeman of near Hesston, to which union two sons were born.

Abraham’s life was not always strewn with flowers, and he had his struggles and failings, but always sought the way of righteousness and endeavored to keep his conscience clear.

The last several years his health began to fail, but his spiritual health grew still clearer, revealing a childlike, submissive spirit. Medical aid was sought and his wife and children faithfully and tenderly cared for him, yet he gradually grew worse until he peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, leaving a full assurance of his heavenly home.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife Sarah, seven sons by his first marriage, Harvey of Ithaca, Mich., Harry of Russell Springs, Kansas, Homer of Wallace, Kansas, Conrad of Hesston, Oliver of Lehigh, Clifford of Wallace, and Kenneth of Galva, Kansas; three daughters, Hazel, Mrs. Jesse Koehn of Galva, Susanna, Mrs. Noah Koehn of Durham, and Martha, Mrs. Howard Hughes, of Scott City, Kansas; two sons by his second marriage, Chester and Russell of the home; 38 grandchildren, five brothers and five sisters, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by Elizabeth, his first wife, one daughter, Twila, who died in childhood, three brothers and one sister.

We mourn not as those who have no hope, for we believe he has gone to be with the Lord.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 30, at the Meridian church, with Rev. Harry Wenger and Rev. Milferd Wenger officiating. Burial was in the Lonetree cemetery, beside his first wife.