Obituary

March 11, 2008
Newton Kansan


Mary Elizabeth Unruh

GOESSEL - Mary Elizabeth Unruh passed away Sunday (March 9, 2008) at Bethesda Home in Goessel.


She was born May 12, 1919, in rural Durham, the daughter of Justina (Pankratz) and Peter H. Frantz. They preceded her in death.

She married Noah D. Unruh on Feb. 27, 1938, in rural Durham. He preceded her in death on July 13, 1990.

Mary and Noah pastored Mennonite churches in Minnesota, Montana and Oklahoma, as well as Congregational churches in Sedgwick, Lincoln and Ford, all in Kansas. She had assisted Noah in his real estate business from 1961 until his death. She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a woman of prayer.

Survivors include daughters, Naomi R. Unruh of Newton and Margaret M. Davis and husband, Don, of Overland Park; sister, Josephine (Frantz) Holdeman Eslinger and husband, Everett, of Canton; sisters-in-law, Lucille Frantz of California and Edith Unruh of Newton; granddaughter, Linda Davis of Overland Park; great-grandchildren, Katelin and James Sutler of Overland Park; great-great-grandson, Vance Davis of Overland Park; and many other relatives and friends.

She also was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth (Frantz) Unruh; brothers, Abe, Eldo and Eddie Frantz; and two brothers who died in infancy.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Golden Plains Free Methodist Church in rural Newton, with the Rev. Charles Kaufmann presiding.

Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Memorials may be made to Golden Plains Free Methodist Church or Bethesda Home in care of the funeral home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.

Friends may sign an online guestbook at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.