Obituary

Sue Unruh Pack died in a nursing home in Hughson, Calif., on Feb. 13, 2012.

She was born on March 19, 1915, in Newton. She was the daughter of Susie Hiebert Unruh and Henry F. Unruh. She had an older sister, Ruth, and younger siblings, Selma, Ernie, Vi and Mary Ann. She attended Cooper School and Newton Junior High School, and she graduated from Newton High School in 1933. Four years later, she graduated from Bethel College. She taught for three years at Hillsboro High School. On Nov. 9, 1941, she married George Pack from Moundridge. During World War II, while her husband was stationed in the Pacific for three years, she lived with her parents and taught in the Newton school system. In 1947, Sue and George moved to California and lived in Modesto, Calif., for most of their lives. She was devoted to their two sons, Jim of Modesto and Richard of Turlock and to her daughter-in-law, Joan, and grandson, Christopher. Sue was active in Trinity United Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School; was active in the women’s organization and sang in a choir; helped in the Community Closet; and was in Cub Scout leadership. She was a past president of the John Muir School PTA and the city-wide PTA organization, and she was a charter member of the singing group “Mothers-of-Note.”
She participated in a tutoring program in which she taught people to read. She wrote her autobiography, starting with her childhood and kept it current as long as she was able. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed most of her clothes. She enjoyed bead work and making original tatted designs, liked to work crossword puzzles, and play bridge and other games. In retirement, she attended sessions of adult education at the Modesto Junior College regularly.

Her sisters Viola Unruh of Newton and Mary Ann Gertsen of North Newton survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Ruth Willard and Selma Fent; and her brother, Ernie Unruh.

Sue’s memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in Modesto. Memorials may be given to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 77703, or Mennonite Central Committee, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton, KS 67117.