Harland Earl Unruh was born November 12, 1935, at Bethesda Hospital, Goessel, Kansas, to Henry G and Sara Enns Unruh. He grew up on a farm northwest of Goessel, the middle child of 5. He graduated from Goessel High School with the class of
1954. Following high school after a short stint as a carpenter?s assistant, he
went into 1-W service at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka on the grounds crew,
mowing lawns and removing snow among other things.
While he was helping Martin Wedel plaster cracks in the
walls at Bethesda Hospital, he met his future wife Oneta Wenger, and they were married
during his vacation following his first year of 1-W service, on April 9, 1960,
at his home church, Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, North of Goessel. To this
union were born 3 children, Teresa, Earl and Duane.
Following his 1-W service, Harland and Oneta moved onto the
Unruh family farm north of Goessel and tried farming for several years, which
were rough years. Harland started working for Hesston Mfg., and they moved to
Newton at that time. Harland worked for Hesston Mfg., Hesston Corp., Hay &
Forage Ind., and AGCO, (all the same company under different names) for over 37
years before retiring and becoming a tour guide at AGCO for another 20 years.
During that time they also owned and operated Harland?s Auction Service for
over 35 years, belonging to both the Kansas and National Auctioneers
Associations, where they made many good friends over the years. Still a farmer
at heart, nothing gave him more joy than working in his yard and garden, always
raising a lot of watermelon ? the majority of which he gave away. He also made
many wooden toys, most of which he gave away as well.
Harland is survived by his wife, Oneta (Wenger) Unruh;
daughter, Teresa (Roger) Strain; sons, Earl (Deborah) Unruh and Duane (Kelley)
Unruh; grandchildren, Melissa Unruh, Nathaniel (Nani Dizol) Unruh, Shawn
(Christina Pease) Smith, Heather Lozen (partner, Brieana Mills), Sarah (Josh)
Zapata, Jared (Sophia Riada) Strain, Caleb Strain, Braden Strain, and Lindsey
Unruh; and 4 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
