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Unruh, David D. (1859-1946)
Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1946 Mar 19 p. 14
Birth date: 1859 May 20
text of obituary:
Prediger David D. Unruh, (Buhler, Kansas), Sohn von David H. und Sara Kliewer Unruh, ward am 20. Mai 1859 im Dorfe Alexanderwohl, Südrußland geboren und genoß dort seine elementar Schulbildung. 1874 kam er bei der großen Auswanderung mit Eltern nach McPherson County, Kansas, wo er die schweren Pionierjahre im Elternheim mitmachte und erfuhr, was es bedeutet in einem fremden Lande unter fremden Leuten mit einer fremden Sprache sich zurechtzufinden. Jedoch versuchte er ihre Sprache und Anschauungen kennen zu lernen und besuchte die Schule nahe seinem Heim und hielt später 11 Termine deutsche Schule. Oft sprach er davon wie sein Großvater auf der Reise in Topeka, Kansas gestorben sei und dort auch begraben ward: weiter, wie auf der Reise all ihre Bargeld gestohlen worden, welches es sehr schwer machte. Doch der Herr half durch, und dieses machte ihn fester in seinem Glauben und Vertrauen auf seinen Herrn. Er nahm Jesus an als seinen persönlichen Heiland und ward von Aeltester Dietrich Gaeddert am 16. September 1883 getauft und Glied der Hoffnungsau Gemeinde, wo er treues Glied blieb. Am 18. Apirl [sic] 1886 heiratete er Susanna Gäddert, Tochter des Aeltesten D. Gäddert, und es wurden ihnen 8 Söhne und 3 Töchter geschenkt, wovon 5 Söhne und 1 Tochter. — wie auch die Gattin am 7. Mai 1943, — ihm im Tode vorangingen. Am 16. Jan. 1904 ward er von seiner Gemeinde als Prediger gewählt und am 20. Mai 1905 von Aelt. Abraham Ratzlaff ordiniert, und er hat der Gemeinde treu gedient bis er in 1934, wegen vorgeschrittenen Alters, resignierte und in den Ruhestand trat. Seine Arbeit war vielen zum Segen. Auch interessierte er sich für die Jugend und war dabei tätig als der Jugendverein und die Sonntagsschule eingeführt wurden. Viele Jahre hat er als S. S. Lehrer gedient und er war 9 Jahre Direktor an Bethel College. 1925 verließ er die Farm und zog in das Städtchen Buhler, wo er bis zum Tode der Gattin wohnte; dann machte er sein Heim bei seinen Kindern, und später im Altenheim in Goessel, Kansas. Hier fand er in Bernhard H. Friesen einen innigen Freund, der sich, wie auch die Schwestern, seiner annahm als er schwächer wurde. Am 18. April 1936 war es den Eltern vergönnt ihre goldene Hochzeit in Anwesenheit aller ihrer Kinder und Familien zu feiern, was sie dankbar stimmte. Sie durften 57 Jahre den Pilgerpfad gemeinsam wandern. Nun sind sie beide in der ewigen Herrlichkeit. Möge ihr Einfluß und ihre Elternliebe einen Widerhall in den Hinterbliebenen finden ist deren Gebet. Sie trauern, aber nicht als Hoffnungslose, und sie gönnen ihm die Ruhe nach einem langen und einflußreichen Leben. Der Heimgerufene wurde 86 J. 9 M. und 3 Tage alt und es trauern um sein Scheiden die Söhne: Johann, Sedgwick, Kansas; David, Inman, Kansas; und Otto, Clay Center, Kansas; und die Töchter: Maria, Frau Peter Wall, Buhler, Kansas; und Martha, Frau Ferdinand Regier, Moundridge, Kansas, alle mit Familien; dazu seine 4 Schwestern: Frau Sara Unruh Hiebert, Frau Katharina Unruh Buller, Frau Aganetha Unruh Jantzen und Maria Unruh, alle Newton, Kansas, und eine ihn liebende Gemeinde für die er gearbeitet und oft gebetet. Sein Andenken bleibe im Segen.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Feb 28 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Funeral services for Rev. D. D. Unruh, 84 years old retired minister, who died at the Bethesda hospital at Goessel last Saturday morning, were held at the Hopeview church on Wednesday afternoon, February 27. In the forenoon services were also conducted at the Bethesda Home for the Aged, where Rev. Unruh was a resident since the death of his wife in 1944. He served the Hopeview church as minister for a period of 30 years. Remaining to mourn the departure of their father are five children: John G. Unruh, Sedgwick; Mrs. Peter Wall, Buhler; David G. Unruh, Inman; Otto D. Unruh, Clay Center; and Mrs. Ferd Regier, Moundridge. Also surviving are nine grandsons, four great-grandchildren and four sisters, Mrs. Sam Hiebert, Mrs. David Buller, Mrs. H. P. Janzen and Maria Unruh, all of Newton.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 7 p. 5
text of obituary:
. . .
— Rev. J. M. Suderman, manager of General Conference Publication office, and Rev. P. P. Buller, pastor of the Goessel Mennonite church, who lives here at 812 Logan street, attended the funeral services of Rev. D. D. Unruh at the Hopeview church near Inman on Wednesday, February 27, where they were honorary pall bearer [sic]. Other honorary bearers included: Rev. G. N. Harms, Whitewater; Rev. C. C. Nickerl, Newton; Rev. T. A. van der Smissen, Buhler; and Rev. J. H. Epp, Kingman. The funeral services were in charge of Rev. A. J. Dyck, who was assisted by Rev. C. H. Voth and Rev. Albert Gaeddert. Rev. P. P. Buller was in charge of the short services held at the Bethesda Home for the Aged at Goessel, where Rev. Unruh had been a resident for the past several years.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 14 p. 3
text of obituary:
REV. D. D. UNRUH
Rev. D. D. Unruh, son of Rev. D. H. Unruh and Sara (Kliewer) Unruh, was born on May 20, 1859, in the village of Alexanderwohl in South Russia. He spent his youth there and received his early training in the village school of that country.
In 1874 he came to America with his parents, during the great Mennonite emigration to this country and found his home in McPherson county, Kansas. Here in the home of his parents, he often experienced the hardships of pioneer life in a new and strange country among a people whose language and ways they knew not. He tried to adapt himself to the new surroundings and attended the school arranged here and at Alexanderwohl and later at Halstead, Kansas. He entered the teaching profession and taught German school for 11 years.
He often told of the hardships of these days; how his grandfather died on the way to his new home in America and was buried in Topeka, Kansas; how their money was stolen on the trip to their new home. But he said that God wonderfully provided and this strengthened his faith in His guiding and protecting hand.
Having accepted Christ as his personal Savior he was baptized by Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert on Sept. 16, 1883 and accepted as a member into the Hoffnungsau church, whose faithful member and servant he remained till his death.
On April 18, 1886 he united in marriage with Susanna Gaeddert, daughter of Rev. Dietrich Gaeddert. Into this home 11 children were born, eight sons and three daughters. Of these five sons and one daughter have preceded him into the Great Beyond, as also has our mothre [sic] on May 7, 1943.
On January 16, 1904, he was elected to the ministry of his Hoffnungsau church and was ordained for his work by Rev. Abraham Ratzlaff, on May 20, 1905. He served in the ministry for about 30 years, resigning in 1934 because of advanced age and failing strength. His services have been a blessing to many. He was deeply interested in the youth of the church, helped to organize the Hoffnungsau Christian Endeavor Society and was active in Sunday School from its very beginning. He served as Sunday School teacher for a long numbmer of years, and also was on the board of directors of Bethel College for nine years.
In 1925 he retired from the farm and moved to Buhler, where he lived till after the death of mother. After this he made his home with his children but spent the last years of his life in the Home for The Aged at Goessel, Kansas. Here he found a very close friend in Bro. Bernard Friesen, also a resident of the home. Bro Friesen cared for him when his health bean to fail in the last few months, as did also the workers in the home. This service of all is greatly appreciated by the children.
On April 18, 1936, the parents were permitted to celebrate their golden wedding with all children and grandchildren about them. For this they were especially thankful to their Heavenly Father. In all they were permitted to share joys and hardships for 57 years.
He reached the age of 86 years, 9 months, and 21 days. He leaves to mourn his departure, three sons and their wives, John of Sedgwick; David of Inman; and Otto of Clay Center; two daughters and their husbands, Maria, Mrs. Peter Wall of Buhler, and Martha, Mrs. Ferdinand Regier, of Moundridge. Survivors are also ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Mrs. Sara (Unruh) Hiebert, Miss Maria Unruh, Mrs. Katharina (Unruh) Buller and Mrs. Agnes (Unruh) Janzen, all of Newton; and a great number of relatives and friends and a loving congregation which he loved and for which he prayed much. May his memory be blessed. The bereaved Family.
The Mennonite obituary: 1946 Apr 16 p. 15