March 18, 1934 - February 7, 2019
Dewey Unruh
Dewey Unruh was born March 18, 1934 to Walter and Anna Unruh at home in Swalwell, AB. He peacefully passed away in the morning on February 7, 2019. He was nearly 85. The Lord planned it so that death parted Doreen and him for only a day.
Dewey had a happy childhood with his parents and seven siblings on the family farm. He helped with feeding animals and gardening, sparking a lifelong passion for nature, including bird watching, raising exotic animals and birds, planting, and tending living things. His parents stressed the importance of attending Church. As a young boy, he was impressed with the ways of God. When he was 10, he accepted Salvation through Christ. He was baptized on November 25, 1945 into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite by Minister Ed Frank. He remained faithful to God and His Church until the end.
Dewey's youth years were spent at Linden but included one year living with his family in California. His parents made sure he could return to Canada before he turned 18, avoiding the draft in the States. After returning to Linden, he felt called to mission work, and soon had the opportunity to study Cree in Meadow Lake, SK.
On June 17, 1956, Dewey was married to Doreen Reimer at Linden, AB. They shared life together for 62 years. His call to mission work took them to Little Red River that first winter, and later, to Sunchild Mission. They welcomed Douglas Walter into their home in 1965, and Ray David in 1967. We as a family went to India for several months, with a trip around the world on the way home. We stopped to tour the Holy Lands, as well as numerous other countries. We remember camping and fishing together with Dad. He loved taking his sons and grandchildren boating and fishing and doing things with them outside on their yard. We have many special memories of hours spent with him.
Dewey was a farmer, a great naturalist, an unending source of information and knowledge, with a great memory for history and world events.
God and the Church called Dewey to the Ministry. He was ordained on March 26, 1961, by Minister Milford Wenger. The young Stettler Congregation invited him to be their leader and they moved there in 1966. Preaching and teaching was his passion. He loved to preach the Gospel. He meticulously kept congregational records through the years, right up until the last months. He was a historian and had a great store of knowledge of Church history. We appreciate and acknowledge his many years of service to our congregation and the time given to the Church in revival, committee, and mission work. He and Doreen were a source of inspiration in their care homes.
Left to cherish memories are his family: Doug and friend Joleen, Innisfail, AB, Ray & Connie; grandchildren: Travis & Pollyanna, Tyler & Carol, Carson, & Chelsey; and one great-granddaughter, Ariel, all of Stettler, AB; His sisters: Beulah Isaac, Linden, AB, Joann & Elmer Esau, Stettler, AB; In-laws: Helen Unruh, Ervie Toews, Selma Unruh, all of Linden, AB, and Margaret Fehr, Delisle, SK. Doreen's family: Denver & Ella, Ken & Norma of Linden, AB, Joyce & Melvin Klassen, Stettler, AB; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Preceding him in death: his wife, Doreen, his parents, parents-in-law, one sister, four brothers, four sisters-in-law, and one brother-in-law.
A special thank you to all those who lovingly cared for Dewey and Doreen in the last few years while they lived at Points West Living, Heritage House and the Stettler Hospital. They loved you!
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 10, 2019 at Stettler Community Hall with interment in Fenn-Lakeview Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetltd.ca