Unruh, Daniel F. (1883-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Aug 6 p. 6

Birth date: 1883 Jul 16

text of obituary:

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— Dan F. Unruh, 70, died at Axtell Christian hospital Saturday evening of injuries received Tuesday, July 28, in a fall from a scaffold while working on the new dormitory at the Methodist Children’s Home. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Christian church, of which he was a member. He is survived by his wife, the former Lizzie M. Duerksen, three daughters, one son, four sisters and one brother.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Sep 17 p. 9

text of obituary:

DANIEL F. UNRUH

Daniel Funk Unruh, son of Kornelius and Anna Funk Unruh, was born at Goessel, Kansas, on July 16, 1883, and passed away August 1, 1953, at the Axtell Christian hospital, Newton, Kansas, at the age of 70 years and 16 days. A well known builder, he died as the result of fatal injuries sustained while engaged in the occupation to which he devoted his life. He resided at 117 East 17th Street in Newton with his wife, Lizzie M. Unruh, who survives.

As a young man he was baptized by Elder Peter Balzer and was received into the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church. Later he became a charter member of the Goessel Mennonite church which he designed and built. After moving to Newton in 1938, he attended the Bethel College church until July 27, 1952, at which time he joined the First Christian church where he became a member of the official board and served as deacon.

He was united in marriage to Lizzie M. Duerksen on November 4, 1908, at Mountain View, Okla. To this union were born one son and three daughters. Except for two years residence in Oklahoma early in his marriage and a year in California in 1913, he spent most of his life until 1938 in the Goessel community where he grew to manhood and where he raised his family. The fruits of his labors are preserved in many fine homes and farm dwellings scattered throughout the community. They are preserved even more lastingly in the houses of worship which he designed and built, such as the Alexanderwohl Mennonite church, Goessel Mennonite church, Tabor Mennonite church and the Mennonite church near Kingman. After moving to Newton he was employed by the Stauffer Construction Company, for which he worked when he was called by the Master Builder at the age of three score and ten years.

Besides his wife he is survived by all four of his children: Susie B. (Mrs. Pete Krause) of Bellflower, Calif., Arnold E. Unruh of Fort Worth, Texas, Maria E. (Mrs. Thomas H. Park) of Newton, and Ann Unruh of Arlington, Va.; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Arnold E. (Vera Bachman) Unruh of Fort Worth, Texas; two sons-in-law, Pete Krause of Bellflower, Calif., and Thomas H. Park of Newton; seven grandchildren; one brother, Henry F. Unruh of Newton; four sisters, Mrs. Anna Harms of Newton, Agnes (Mrs. Isaac B. Fast), and Katherine (Mrs. P. J. Schmidt) of Goessel, and Maria Unruh of Topeka, Kansas.

He was preceded by one brother, Cornelius F. Unruh, and two sisters, Sara, in infancy, and Helen (Mrs. Wm. L. Patrick). A fatal accident ten weeks preceding his own claimed the life of his oldest granddaughter, Thelma June Krause, whom he has joined. The last services for him were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Norvil W. Underwood, at the First Christian church and at Greenwood Cemetery on August 4, 1953.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions. . . I go to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)