Floyd Unruh, 83

Floyd Unruh, 83, passed away suddenly Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene.

Funeral services were Saturday at Mountain View Mennonite Church with interment following in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery. Officiating ministers were Mark Unruh, Roger Unruh, Willis Dyck, Frank Mastre and Robert Koehn. Interment was at Mountain View Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.

 Floyd was born Oct. 16, 1925, in Copeland, Kansas, to Edward and Minnie Unruh.

Dad spent his childhood on the family farm in Copeland, Kansas. The dust bowl years caused his family to move to Bonners Ferry in 1940.

 Dad gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on Jan. 5, 1947, at age 21 into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite in Bonners Ferry by Min. Harry Wenger. The church was precious to him, and he was faithful to the end.

Floyd married Edna Decker of Halstead, Kansas, on June 24, 1956. Four daughters and one son were born to this union. They shared life's joys and sorrows together for 32 years until mom suddenly passed in 1988.

Dad worked as a loader operator at Louisiana-Pacific sawmill in Moyie Springs the first years of their married life. While still working at the sawmill, dad's love for farm life inspired him to purchase a few dairy cows. Dairy life became his occupation, which he enjoyed until 1987, when he retired.

Dad's loss of mom left him lonely and longing for companionship. Floyd married Annie Wengerd on Jan. 26, 1992. God blessed them with 17 very happy years. They enjoyed fishing, camping and having the family home.

 We have many memories of grandpa. He took a special interest in everyone, calling us by name, reading books and taking time for each grandchild’s request.

Dad was a loving, kindhearted and patient man. Their home was always open to hospitality.

Dad had a deep faith in God and his spiritual care and concern for his children and grandchildren will always be remembered. Although his side of the love seat is now empty, our memory of him lives on.

Those left to cherish fond memories are his loving wife, Annie; daughters Arita Shelman of Boise, Carolyn Wedel and her  husband, Denny, and Onalee Dirks and her husband, Greg, all of Bonners Ferry, and Elaine Harms and her husband, Wade, of Hazelton; a son, Gilbert and his wife, Lisa, of Bonners Ferry; 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers Virgil and Marjorie, and Delmar, all of Bonners Ferry, and Leonard and Ruth of Grafton, N.D.; sisters Lillie and Cyril Mastre of Grant, Neb., and Regina of Bonners Ferry; brother-in-law Abe Dirks of Brooksville, Miss.; and sisters-in-law Mary Unruh of Bonners Ferry and Virginia Unruh of Buhl.

Also preceding Floyd in death were his parents, three sisters, three brothers and one grandson. 

Family and friends may sign  Floyd’s  book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.

Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is handling arrangements.