Unruh, Mary Ratzlaff (1872-1946)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 7 p. 5

Birth date: 1872 Jan 12

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— Mrs. Mary Unruh, 75, a resident of the Bethel Home for the Aged since 1936, died there shortly before six o’clock Tuesday morning, March 5 after a several-weeks illness. She was the widow of the late Henry P. Unruh of Meno, Okla. and a sister of Rev. J. J. Ratzlaff, who is a patient at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital. Other near-relatives surviving include one brother, Jacob Ratzlaff, and three sisters, Mrs. J. J. Johnson, Mrs. D. B. Unruh, and Mrs. Anna Decker, all of Meno, Okla. After a short service at the Bethel Home for Aged on Thursday afternoon, the body will be taken to Meno for the final rites at the New Hopedale church there on Friday afternoon.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1946 Mar 21 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. MARY UNRUH

Maria Ratzlaff Unruh, the daughter of Johann and Katharina Unruh Ratzlaff, was born January 12, 1872, in Franztal, South Russia, and departed this life at the Bethel Home for the Aged in Newton, Kansas, on March 5, 1946, at the age of 74 years, one month and 21 days.

When she was only two years of age, she emigrated to America with her parents and settled in McPherson county, Kansas, where she grew to womanhood under the Christian influence of her parents, and the Christian education of church and school.

She was baptized upon confession of her faith in Christ Jesus as her personal Savior in July, 1887, by her father at the Canton Mennonite church north of Moundridge, Kansas. later when they moved to Oklahoma, she transferred her membership to the newly organized Mennonite church at Meno, where she remained a loyal and faithful member until her death.

On May 1, 1890, she was married to Henry P. Unruh at the Canton church by the Elder Dietrich Gaeddert. For 46 years they shared joy and sorrow. In 1895 they moved to Meno, Oklahoma, and settled on a farm a half mile east of Meno, which was their home until Mr. Unruh passed away.

There were no children. However, when his nephew Enley lost his mother at the age of four, they took him, loved him and cared for him as their own until he grew to manhood. In 1941 he receded her in the great beyond.

After the death of her husband in 1936 she left her lovely farm home and became a member of the Home for the Aged in Newton. There she helped in every capacity that she could as long as her strength permitted.

She required considerable care as her health failed but she was always grateful and appreciative. She bore her cross with a great deal of grace and patience. She was bedfast for but one week.

She leaved to mourn her departure, two brothers and three sisters: Mrs. J. J. Johnson (Sarah) of Meno; Rev. John J. Ratzlaff, Newton; Jake C. Ratzlaff, Meno; Mrs. Anna Decker, Meno; Mrs. I. B. Unruh (Caroline) of Meno. Her parents, one sister, Katherine Ratzlaff Wedel, and one brother, Peter P. Ratzlaff preceded her in death. There are many other relatives and friends who will not forget her.

A short service conducted by Rev. J. E. Entz was held at the Home for the Aged at three o’clock, Wednesday, March 6. The next day the body was taken to Meno, Oklahoma for funeral services and burial. Rev. Albert Unruh conducted a short service at the home of J. C. Ratzlaff where the body was taken prior to the service at the church.

Rev. H. U. Schmidt had the devotional service of Scripture reading and prayer after which Rev. J. H. Epp of Kingman, Kansas, and Rev. A. J. Dyck of Buhler, Kansas each preached a short sermon. Music was furnished by a quartet from the local church. The graveside service was in charge of Rev. H. U. Schmidt.