Bertha (Yoder) Unruh

Bertha Unruh

HESSTON - Bertha Unruh, 92, died Thursday (Sept. 14, 2006) at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She was born May 10, 1914, to Pete and Nancy Yoder in Rolette County, N.D. She married Lawrence Unruh on April 9, 1939, at Lakeview Mennonite Church in Wolford, N.D. He survives. She belonged and was a charter member of Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church in Hesston. Many of her nieces and nephews knew her as Aunt Bert. Bert was a homemaker and farmer's wife. She and Lawrence farmed first in Surrey, N.D., using a team of horses, then in Hesston. She served as church worker and sewing circle president of WMSC in Surrey and then in Hesston. She also served as board member of Mennonite Central Committee in charge of pies. After Lawrence retired, they traveled across America in a mini home. Their travels took them from California to Washington to New York and Florida, including two trips to Alaska.

She was a loving and kind wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She liked to read. She would read to and hold all of her family when they were small. She kept all of the school things, cards, letters and pictures from her family. Her favorite food was ice cream. The last year or so when she was sick she said many times that she was ready and wanted to go to Heaven. Now she is with Jesus.

Other survivors include: sons, Jerry and Elaine Unruh of Prescott, Keith and Linda Unruh of rural Hutchinson, and Max and Donna Unruh of Hesston; a daughter, Ruth and Gary Vogt of Hesston; brothers, Otis Yoder of Minot, N.D., Ottis and Violet Yoder of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; a sister, Mildred and Durbin Zook of Goshen, Ind.; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by: brothers, Jerry, Fred, Harvey, Neil and Richard; and sisters, Gertrude, Sylvia and Sadie.

Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Schowalter Villa Chapel in Hesston with the Revs. Jim Unruh and Steve Toews officiating.

Service will be 10 at a.m. Monday at Hesston.

Burial will be in Eastlawn Cemetery in Hesston

Memorials have been established with the church building fund and the Mennonite Central Committee, both in care of Miller Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster Ave., Hesston, KS 67062.