Unruh, Henry D. (1874-1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Oct 23 p. 1, 5

Birth date: 1874 Feb 21

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services were held at the M. B. church, Dolton, S. D., on Sept. 28 for Henry D. Unruh, 73, whose death resulted from an accident on his farm. He had gone to the field to load some hay, and was fatally injured by the fork handle when he alighted from the wagon. He passed away 11 days later leaving his wife, eight sons and three daughters to mourn his departure. Born in Russia, he came to this country when less than a year old and had lived in the Dolton community ever since. He and Mrs. Unruh observed their golden wedding anniversary on June 16, 1947.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Nov 20 p. 3

text of obituary:

HENRY D. UNRUH

Henry D. Unruh, son of David and Mary Unruh, was born in Russia February 21, 1874. At the age of nine months he came to America with his parents and settled two miles south of Dolton, S. D. His early days were spent in helping his parents in their farm activities.

On June 16, 1897, he was united in marriage to Pauline Wiegelt [sic Weigelt] and settled on the farm one mile west of Dolton where he lived until his death. God blessed this union with 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. They shared joys and sorrows 50 years three months and ten days.

In June 1903 he was baptized upon the confession of his faith by Rev. Peter Adrian and served as a member of the M. B. church for several years. Later, in 1922, he joined the M.B.C. church in Dolton where he took active part in his early membership there.

Father enjoyed good health and was always found busy around the farm in the interest of his family and the community. On the morning of September 15, about 8:00 a.m., he took his horses and hayrack and went to the field to load some hay. When leaving the wagon he was seriously injured by the fork-handle. Immediately the doctor was called and he ordered father taken to the hospital.

Every possible means was tried to save his life but all in vain. To the very last the best of care was given him by the children, doctors and hospital attendants. About 10 p.m. Thursday evening we realized that the hour of his departure was near. The family was called and were present at the time of his death. He quietly slipped away to his reward Friday morning, September 26 at 3:32. He reached the age of 73 years seven months and five days.

During his stay at the hospital he was in earnest about his soul and sought peace and pardon. After a time of prayer he made this statement: “Now that I have made peace with my God I wish I had but a few years to witness for Him.” He urged his family to seek God now while in the day of Grace. His last spoken words were in the German language, “Herr ich kome, ich kome Heim.”

He leaves to mourn his death his bereaved wife, eight sons and three daughters; August of Bloomfield, Montana; Helen, Mrs. Gerald Hain, of Dolton; Kathryn, Mrs. J. R. Jones, of Salem; Ben of Butterfield, Minn.; Leonard of Sioux Falls; David, Alvin and Joe of Dolton; Edward and Jake of Sioux Falls; and Melba, Mrs. Donald Harmon, of Richmond, Calif. Ten grandchildren, one brother, Andrew of Richy, Mont., and one sister, Mrs. Abe Unruh of Richy, also survive.

He was preceded in death by one brother and six sisters.

Funeral services were held at the M. B. church on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Martin Engbrecht in charge. Rev. J. J. Adrian spoke in the German language, and used as his text Heb. 13-14 and 11:25. Rev. Jacob B. Hofer followed with an English message based on II Cor. 5:1. Rev. M. E. Engbrecht made closing comments from Ps. 86:1-7. The Tschetter ladies’ quartet sang two numbers, one in German and one in English.

The pall bearers were John Dick, Ben Richert, Henry Ratzlaff, Fred Koehn, John J. Goosen and Isaac Becker. — The Family.