Unruh, Anna C. Gaeddert (1888-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Nov 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1888 Jul 17

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite church Tuesday afternoon for Mrs. Anna C. Unruh, 64, wife of Rev. H. T. Unruh of North Newton, who passed away early Saturday morning at the Halstead hospital. The services were in charge of Rev. P. K. Regier and Rev. A. F. Tieszen. Several selections were sung by a men's quartet from the First Mennonite church of Hillsboro, where Rev. Unruh served as pastor until his retirement two years ago. Mrs. Unruh was the daughter of Jacob D. and Katherine Gaeddert of Buhler. Besides her husband, she is survived by a son, Earl W. Unruh of Independence, Kans., one daughter, Mrs. Mildred Baumgartner of Parsons, Kans., two sisters and seven brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Nov 13 p. 11

text of obituary:

MRS. H. T. UNRUH

Born in Reno county, Kansas Mrs. H. T. Unruh, the former Anna Gaeddert, lived her early life in McPherson county, Kansas. She was the daughter of Jacob D. and Katharina (Ratzlaff) Gaeddert, who lived north of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church most of their married life. Anna was born July 17, 1888. She departed this life early Saturday morning, November 1, at 3:45, having reached the age of 64 years, three months, and 14 days.

She attended the district school in McPherson county, and later went to the Vereinschule in Goessel, where Rev. P. P. Buller was instructor. She enjoyed the schoolroom work and later became a teacher herself, teaching in Deer Creek and Medford, Oklahoma, as well as in Kansas schools.

On June 4, 1906, she was baptized upon her confession of faith by Elder Abraham Ratzlaff and became a member of the Hoffnungsau Mennonite church. She transferred her membership to the Alexanderwohl church when she was married, and later to the churches where her husband served as pastor.

On June 1, 1912, she was united in marriage to H. T. Unruh from the Alexanderwohl church, who was at the time a teacher in his home community. For a few years longer the teaching career continued, when the call to the ministry came, to which both had been looking with eagerness and anticipation. Desiring further training and preparation for this God-given task, they entered Bethel College, graduated there, and then pursued further studies in later years at Garrett Biblical Institute, Iliff Seminary, and graduated from the Witmarsum Seminary at Bluffton, Ohio.

The mission church in Hutchinson, Kansas was their first charge. Here they served four years, after which they went to Halstead to serve the Mennonite church there for 14 years, following this to Bluffton, Ohio for eight years and then to Hillsboro, Kansas where they served eight years until the time of their retirement only two short years ago. In the pastorates thus served, she was not only an efficient homemaker but a companion whose loyalty and devotion lent encouragement and happiness in the years of pastoral service. She loved to open her home with its pleasant atmosphere and friendly welcome to all who would come.

Two children were born into the home, Earl and Mildred. Both are married and have families. The grandchildren were the pride and joy of Mrs. Unruh, and she loved nothing more than to have the grandchildren around her. In the hospital where they could not come to see her, she would inquire of them repeatedly, and it was her fond hope that she would be remembered by them.

Mrs. Unruh enjoyed good health until a little over a year ago when she had to undergo a serious operation. For a time it seemed that recovery was definitely in sight, but then a change for the worse came in, and the best that medical help could offer was not enough, to conquer the cancer that was spreading. Throughout the illness and hospitalization she maintained a cheerful disposition without murmur or complaint, an in this same spirit she quietly breathed her last early Saturday morning, November 1, at the HaIstead hospital.

She leaves to mourn her departure her sorrowing husband, Rev. H. T. Unruh; one son, Earl and his wife Martha, and their three children, of Independence, Kansas; one daughter, Mildred and her husband, Rev. Don Bumgarner and their two boys, of Parsons, Kansas; two sisters, Kate, Mrs. G. K. Froese, of Inman, and Marie, Mrs. J. U. Schmidt and husband of Hutchinson; seven brothers, P. R. Gaeddert and family of Buhler, Dr. Gus R. Gaeddert and wife of North Newton, John and family, of Hutchinson, Jake and family, of Inman, Henry and family of Pretty Prairie, Albert and family of Inman, and Walter and family of Moundridge. One brother, Dietrich, preceded her in death less than three years ago, while his wife Katharina was buried less than one week ago. There are also four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law of the Unruh family. Besides these there is large number of nieces and nephews and other relatives, and host of friends.