Unruh, Helen Dueck (1934-2001)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2001 Oct 26 p. 25

Birth date: 1934 Oct 8

text of obituary:

HELEN UNRUH

Helen Unruh passed away Aug. 4. She was born Oct. 8, 1934 to Johann and Maria Dueck in Schoenau, Sagradovka, Ukraine. She was a sickly child. In 1943 the family fled to Poland. During the winter, she became ill with typhus but recovered. In January 1945 her father was conscripted into the army, and the family fled to Germany. In 1947 she, her mother and 2 siblings immigrated to the Chaco, Paraguay, settling in Gnadental, Neuland Colony. She went to school, but spent many months in hospital. She was converted, was baptized and joined the MB church . She married Adolf Unruh Nov. 22, 1958. After a couple of years, they moved to Germany, then came to Canada. After several moves, they settled in Kelowna, B.C. in 1979. They joined Grace Baptist Church. In 1992 she was diagnosed with cancer. She had 3 operations and radiation treatment, but did not become discouraged. She did handwork and photography. She had many friends, loved the church and was thankful for her loving, Christian home. In her last year, she needed increasingly more help and longed to go home to her Saviour. She is mourned by children Rudy, Willy, Manfred, and Linda Delowsky; 6 grandchildren; 2 sisters and 2 brothers. The funeral was Aug. 11 in Grace Baptist Church, Kelowna, with pastors Poschwatta and Hahn ministering.