HENRY A. UNRUH

1919 - 2008

Henry A. Unruh, long-time resident of Vauxhall, passed away in Taber on July 26, 2008 at the age of 89 years.
Dad was born in a small village in Siberia, Russia on February 4, 1919. He was the fourth child of Abraham and Maria (Friesen) Unruh. A younger sister died as an infant. When Dad was two, his father passed away. His mother married Heinrich Rempel, who had seven children. Another seven children were added to the family for a total of eighteen brothers and sisters.
When Dad was seven, his family immigrated to Canada from the USSR. This was a very challenging journey. The family settled in southern Manitoba. It was here that Dad spent his early years, going to school and participating in farm work. These were also the years of the depression and farming was not prosperous. However, he recalled this time with happy memories. At the age of eleven he placed his faith in Jesus and committed his life to God.
When Dad was 17, the family decided to move to British Columbia. While on the way, they stopped in Vauxhall, Alberta to visit family – and stayed. In 1937 Dad confirmed his faith through baptism and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church of Vauxhall. His faith in Jesus was central to his life and work.
On January 15, 1943 Dad married Agatha Bergen. The wedding took place in a raging blizzard. In time their home would be blessed with seven daughters and two sons.
In the winter of 1946 Dad interrupted his farming to attend Winkler Bible School in Manitoba. He was accompanied by his wife and their first two daughters. Several years later, with four children, the family spent a winter in Winnipeg so Dad could attend the Mennonite Brethren Bible College. In 1952 he was officially ordained as a minister in the church.
The early years of farming were challenging, with crops lost to hail and difficult harvesting conditions, but Dad and Mom persevered on the farm. Meanwhile he served as a minister in the church. The stories he used to illustrate the truths of his sermons are still recalled by many. In later years the farm became much more prosperous, and Dad took great pleasure in that part of his life as well.
In 1984 Mom passed away suddenly. After a few years alone Dad married Sally (Loewen) Bergen in 1989. They enjoyed several years of good health, followed by a time of illness. During this time Dad moved to Taber to be closer to Sally. After Sally passed away in 2005 Dad continued to live in the home of his children, Irwin and Hertha. He moved into the Taber Extended Care Unit in 2007, where he lived until the time of his passing.
We are very grateful to the staff of the Special Care Unit for cheerfully and lovingly making Dad feel special during his stay.
Dad is survived by his children Hertha (Irwin) Warkentin, Elfreda (Peter) Nickel, Ernie (Joyce) Unruh, Clara (George) Reimer, Harold (Gerri) Unruh, Florence (Ken) O’Brien, Viola (Paul) Preston, Laura (Ajay) Caleb, and Shirley (Nilton Piccolim) Leite; 29 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren; Sally’s children Norma (Ernie) Peters, and Harley (Lisa) Bergen with their families; and numerous other members of the extended family. He is also survived by his older sister (Elizabeth Rempel) and brother (Abe Unruh), and younger brothers and sisters Peter Rempel, David (Martha) Rempel, Katie Friesen, Martha Funk, Nettie (Frank) Dyck, and Lydia (Abe) Konrad.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006-48 Ave., Taber on Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Friday, August 1 at 2:00 P.M. Burial will follow in the Vauxhall Mennonite Cemetery.
If desired, memorial tributes may be made to the Gideons International in Canada, P.O. Box 3619, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7A2.