Ron Unrau
1945 - 2024
Ronald David Unrau, beloved husband of the late Mary Ann Unrau, passed away peacefully in Lethbridge on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the age of 79 years, following a brief illness.
A private burial service will be held at the Taber Memorial Garden prior to the funeral service.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 3:00 P.M.
Those who are unable to attend and wish to view the service online may do so by clicking on the livestream link that will be available on this page at 2:45 P.M. on Friday, December 27, 2024. Barring any technical difficulties, the livestream will begin at 3:00 P.M.
Ron is survived by his children Dianne, Dale and Darlene. He is also survived by his brother Bill Unrau, sisters-in-law Edith Unrau and Shelly Unrau, brother-in-law John Meier, as well as his nieces, nephews and many other relatives.
He was predeceased by his wife of fifty four years, Mary Ann, in September of 2024; his parents John and Helen Unrau; twin brother Don Unrau and brother Allan Unrau; sister Margaret Unrau in infancy; father-in-law and mother-in-law Joe and Annie Pawlowski; sister-in-law Frances Meier, nephew Cliff Meier and great nephew Brett Forchuk.
Ron was born in Coaldale on November 29, 1945. He was the youngest of the second set of twins born to John and Helen Unrau. Ron had fond memories of growing up on the family farm in Skiff with his parents, twin brother Don and their older brothers Allan and Bill. This instilled a lifelong interest in farming operations and business.
Ron contracted polio as a child, which resulted in lengthy hospital stays and subsequent surgeries as a teenager. He spent over a year in the Children’s Hospital in Calgary, where he began grade one. He returned to his family and continued his schooling at a one-room schoolhouse in Skiff. After Ron graduated from Foremost High School in 1964, he left the farm to attend Lethbridge Junior College, then transferred to the University of Alberta where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce degree.
On December 27, 1969, Ron married Mary Ann Pawlowski and they started their family in Lethbridge. Ron articled with Williams, Tanner, Bell, Gerla & Co. in Lethbridge to obtain his chartered accountant designation. In 1976, Ron and Mary Ann moved to Taber where they resided until their passing. Ron joined the partnership of Colleaux & Mills, Chartered Accountants in 1977. He remained a partner at Mills Unrau Gerlock, Chartered Accountants, where he proudly served individuals, businesses, farmers and public sector clients until his retirement in 2010.
Ron was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Taber for over forty years. He was president of the club in the early 1980s and was treasurer up until his passing. Ron and Mary Ann volunteered at many events, including the annual Kiwanis fundraising golf tournament to support the Taber and District Health Foundation. They also enjoyed the annual Kiwanis carol festival. While in the hospital, Ron was excited to watch this year’s carol festival a few days before his passing.
Ron enjoyed camping, playing cards and other games, golfing, bowling and new cars. Ron was particularly proud that once he started driving, his 1965 Mercury Comet was faster than the one his brother Don drove.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ron’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 www.tdhf.ca.
Ron’s children wish to thank family and friends, the Kiwanis Club of Taber, the teams at Linden View, Coulee Family Services, the Chinook Regional Hospital and the Taber Health Centre and the many health professionals who supported Ron over the past few years.