Unruh, Helena (1871-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 May 8 p. 3

Birth date: 1871 Aug 5

text of obituary:

MRS. ABRAHAM H. UNRUH

Mrs. Helena Unruh, daughter of Ben and Anna (Nickel) Unruh, was born in Russia, August 5, 1871. At the age of three she, with her parents emigrated to America and settled in the vicinity of Marion, So. Dakota. She spent 58 years of her life there and 14 years at Arena, North Dakota.

She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior in her youth and upon confession of her faith was baptized in 1887 by Rev. Peter Becker.

She was united in marriage to Abraham H. Unruh on May 18, 1890. In 1903 our parents moved to North Dakota where father passed away on April 2, 1930. The same year, in fall, mother moved back to Dolton, South Dakota, where she established her home and, on September 3, 1931, joined the E.M.B. church, remaining a member there until her death.

Our parents shared joy and sorrow for almost 40 years. To this union nine children were born, of whom two sons and one daughter preceded mother in death. She leaves to mourn her departure one son and five daughters, Anna (Mrs. Frank Ensz) of Neldpath, Sask., Canada, Emma (Mrs. Abe M. Fast) of Warroad, Minn., Jacob of Marion, South Dakota, Helen (Mrs. Martin Fast) of Onida, South Dakota, and Ella (Mrs. Sam Becker) , Orange Cove, California; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. One grandchild preceded her in death.

Four years ago her health began to fail and on July 4, 1945, she had a stroke which paralyzed her right side. She was an invalid the rest of her life. She had been bedfast since December 26, 1946, and suffered severely the last few weeks until she was relieved of her suffering. She died Friday evening, April 11, 1947, at the home of her daughter, Dora. She was patient in suffering and never complained. — The family.