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.

Send condolences

John Unser, beloved husband of Judy Unser, passed away at the Taber Hospital on Friday, May 30, 2008 at the age of 66 years.
Besides his loving wife Judy, he is survived by his children Lance (Sherry) Unser of Coaldale and their children Zach, Tyler and Brandi; Lisa (John) Huvenaars of Hays and their children Mark and Carly; Vince (Ronita) Unser of Tilley and their children Allisha, Pam and Logan. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Skuban, Barb Blackmer, Lorraine Unser, Kathy Vaselenak, Dorothy (Ralph) Kriel and Julia (Russell) Dickie; brother Lawrence (Sharna) Unser; his in-laws Dorothy Dyck, Marvin Brokofsky, Elmer (Maxine) Brokofsky, Sharon Brokofsky and Bertha (Charlie) Carratt.
He was predeceased by his son Rocky; parents John and Odelia Unser; father and mother-in-law Fred and Erma Brokofsky; brothers George, Kasper, Flory and Frank; brothers-in-law George Vaselenak, Paul Skuban, Lorne Blackmer, John Dyck, Clarence Borkofsky and Leo Brokofsky; sisters-in-law Pearl Unser, Leta Unser and Fay Unser.
John was born the third youngest of twelve children and was raised in Rolling Hills. In December of 1962 he married Judy Brokofsky and they moved to Coaldale where their first child Rocky was born in 1963. A few years later they moved to Vauxhall where Lance and Lisa were born in 1966. While in Vauxhall John worked at the Texaco and Vauxhall Co-op. The family next moved to Rolling Hills where Vince was born in 1970. Here John owned and operated Unser’s Tire Service with the help of his sons. The garage was sold in 1988 and John began his career with the Tirol Group of Companies in Rolling Hills and Tilley. John was very active in the community, serving on many boards. His hobbies included gardening, music, fishing, cards and most importantly, spending time with his grand kids. He retired due to health reasons and in 2002, John and Judy moved to Taber, where he became a wonderful housewife! He did the cooking and cleaning while Judy went to work. As his health deteriorated, especially over the past year, he spent a good deal of time at the Taber Hospital where he received excellent care from Dr. Torrie and the nurses. The Monday before he passed away, John had just moved to the extended care wing where he passed away peacefully, on his twins birthday, May 30, 2008.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Mariusz Sztuk SDS Celebrant. A private family burial will follow at the Rolling Hills Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in John’s name may be made directly to the Taber Hospital Foundation (Continuing Care), 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.

Send condolences

Anne Marie Unruh, beloved wife of the late Peter Unruh, passed away at the Killam Continuing Care Centre, Killam, Alberta on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at the age of 77 years.
Anne is survived by her son Rod Unruh of Vauxhall; five daughters Marilyn (Pete) Hiebert of Devon, Rita (Norm) Lihaven of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Connie (Dave) Danko of Sedgewick,  Cheryl (Mel) Miller of Calgary and Dixie (Rory) Scott of Medicine Hat; thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Bill Wedel of Coaldale; sisters Tina (Bizz) Taylor of Viking and Martha (Pete) Baerz of Lethbridge as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Pete; grandson Brian Hiebert and daughter-in-law Deeny Unruh.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Elroy Senneker  and Pastor Leo Siemens officiating. Reception to follow immediately after the service. Burial at the Vauxhall Mennonite Cemetery.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Anne’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society for Lethbridge and Area, #162, 200 - 4 Avenue South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4C9.

Send condolences

Deeny Unruh, beloved wife of Rod Unruh of Vauxhall, passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at the age of 47 years.
Deeny was born in Calgary on December 9, 1958 to parents Tony and Kay Jansen. She moved to Vauxhall at the age of twelve. She married Rod Unruh on January 6, 1979. After raising her three children, Deeny began work at the Vauxhall Co-op Food Store where she was employed for six years.
She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Rod, her children Jenny (Brad) Klassen, Leslie and Anthony (Kerri); three grandchildren Kayla, Hailey and Dominick; her father Tony Jansen, her brothers Francis (Laurie) Jansen and Pete (Chantal) Jansen and her sister Maria (Garry) Hoard and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320-9 Street North, Vauxhall on Friday, January 20, 2006 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 Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 2:30 P.M. with Pastor Elroy Senneker officiating.  Interment will follow in the Vauxhall Cemetery.

Send condolences

Send condolences

Send condolences

Send condolences