Unruh, Helen Frey (1885-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Jul 31 p. 5

Birth date: 1885 May 6

text of obituary:

. . .

— Mrs. G. G. Pankratz received word last Saturday of the sudden passing earlier that day of her youngest sister, Mrs. Jno. J. (Helen) Unruh, at her home at Shafter, Calif. She had been suffering from a heart ailment for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Pankratz, Mrs. J. J. Franz, another sister, and Mrs. Agnes Frey left for California Saturday afternoon by rain to attend the funeral.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Aug 28 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. HELEN FREY UNRUH

Helen Frey Unruh was privileged to be born in a Christian home on May 6, 1885, near Goessel, Kansas. The Christian parents were zealous to rear their family for God in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The little education which she received was obtained from Christian teachers in the Greenfield school district. At the age of eight years she had a bad cough from which she suffered for 28 years. Those years she spent in the Lord's school of suffering and through much prayer and yielding she learned patience in suffering.

In her 20th year, she read through the whole Bible, and afterward read it through once more. She read a number of Christian books in the youth which inspired and helped her to lead a Christian life. When she became older and saw more of the world, she did not always remain true and obedient to her Lord, but the Lord was gracious and she realized the folly of trusting in her own strength. When she repented, the Lord forgave, for which she was very thankful.

The doctors suggested that she should seek to regain her health in the western states, which she did and with God's help, to her betterment. She went to American Falls, Idaho, where she became a Christian Deaconess nurse in the hospital. As she was bodily not very strong, she was able to serve but a few years. Then homesickness got the best of her, and she went back to Kansas to her brothers and sisters, who were more than glad to have her stay with them. The parents had departed to be with the Lord.

In October she had a tonsillectomy. The same year it pleased the Lord to take a niece, Eva Frey Unruh, unto Himself. She left her husband and three small children. Here the Lord used her as handmaid to fill the vacancy in that family.

The children have always been obedient children and she committed them all to the Lord and His divine keeping, to lead them as He deems best. The family experienced much joy and sorrow, as His ways are different than our ways. On Sept. 30, 1938, Rebecca, the youngest daughter, married Clifford Van Sant. On May 9, 1941, Olga was married to John K. Neufeld. In December 1938 Theodore was taken through death in an automobile accident, which was a terrible blow. On Feb. 28, 1942, it pleased the Lord to call Olga, our daughter, unto Himself after four months of suffering.

In 1904, on the 22nd of May, she was baptized upon confession of faith by Elder Peter Balzer and was accepted as a member of the Alexanderwohl church near Goessel. Later she became a member of the Tabor church, also near Goessel. On Dec. 4, 1921, she gave her hand in holy matrimony to John J. Unruh of Bakersfield, Calif. They lived at Bakersfield for six years, at Dos Palace five years, where they lost their home. (Written thus far by the deceased.)

About eight months ago she suffered from a heart ailment and was in the hospital for about two weeks. All this time she was under the care and observation of a doctor. On July 25, 1947, at about 4:00 p. m., the she succumbed to a heart attack. She reached the age of 62 years, two months, and 19 days.

She and her husband lived in matrimony for 26 years, seven months and 23 days. She leaves to mourn her sudden departure her husband, one daughter, Rebecca; two grandchildren; one son-in-law, C. Van Sant; two sisters, Mr. .J. J. Franz and Mrs. G. G. Pankratz of Newton; one brother, Rev. Gustav Frey of Canton, Kans.; and a host of friends and relatives who mourn, but not without hope.

The funeral service was held at the First Mennonite church of Shafter with her pastor, Rev. John Bartel, giving words of comfort. He read from Isaiah 55:6-13 and used as his text, II Kings 13: 20, 21. "Abide With Me" was played at the opening by Mrs. Bartel, and "Nearer My God To Thee" was played during the viewing of the body. A girls' trio sang "Near To the Heart of God" and "Thy Will Be Done." The body was laid to rest in the Shafter cemetery. — The Family.