Unruh, Erlene Ruth Boese (1929-2021)

Date of Birth: 1929 Jul 27, Kansas
Date of Death: 2021 Jan 8, Kansas

Erlene R. Unruh, 91, of Goessel, Kansas, passed away January 8, 2021 at Bethesda Home in Goessel. Erlene was born in Goessel on July 27, 1929 to Jacob A. and Helen (Schmidt) Boese. She and her three sisters were raised on a farm just outside of Goessel and she often talked about the fun times she and her sisters had on the farm. She loved her family very much and admitted numerous times to being a “daddy’s girl”. She spent her educational years in the Goessel schools and her college years at Bethel College.

Erlene and Bob were married August 16, 1950 and spent most of their married life in the Goessel and Newton area, except for a brief time in Denver, Colorado, where they did service and voluntary work at Denver General Hospital.

Erlene was a very talented artist, which resulted in her employment as a color artist for Schmidt Photography in Goessel, and Jim Stucky Photographics in Newton.

Their retirement years were spent traveling, taking bicycle rides together, attending Bethel College Life Enrichment programs and just generally enjoying spending time with family, friends and each other.

Erlene is survived by her son, Doug J. Unruh of Newton; daughter, Laurie Pitzer of Anniston, Alabama; two grandsons, Kelly Unruh of Irvine, California, and Chris Unruh of San Jose, California; daughter-in-law, Susan Unruh, also of San Jose, California; sisters, Esther (Lester) Schmidt and Meribeth (Rannie) Schmidt from the Goessel area; and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

Erlene was preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Unruh; son, Eric Unruh; and sister, Verda (Dayton) Wedel.

A celebration of life service for both her and Bob will be announced and take place at a later date. Private family inurnment will take place at Tabor Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 96, Goessel, KS 67053.

from https://www.wigginsfuneralhomes.com/obituary/erlene-unruh

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MLA Personal Photos Collection

Biographical note:
Goessel, Kansas
d/o Jacob A. and Helen K. (Schmidt) Boese
m. Robert Carl Unruh 1950 Aug 16, Goessel, Kansas
Photographic color artist -- Newton, Kansas

Bethel alumni note:
Bethel College student 1947-1948

Photo holdings:
Individual--Window to Mission photo

Sources:
Photo from The Mennonite office
Grandma Online 95089
Find A Grave 221066617