Virgil Lee Unruh, 88
Virgil Lee Unruh, 88, passed away at his Moyie Springs area home on June 21, 2010.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at 11 a.m. in the Mountain View Mennonite Church with interment following in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Virgil Lee Unruh was born on March 1, 1922, to Edward and Minnie Unruh Unruh in Montezuma, Kan., during a snow blizzard. He unexpectedly passed away at his home in Moyie Springs, Idaho, on June 21, 2010, reaching 88 years.
When Virgil was four, he moved with his family to Copeland, Kan., where he received his education. As a boy he spent many days out in the sand hills herding cattle on horseback.
In 1940, after the devastation of the dust storms, he moved with his family to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He loved the Bonners Ferry area and made it his home the rest of his life.
In 1942, Virgil began 43.5 months of 1W service as a conscientious objector during World War I . He served one year in La Pine, Ore., and spent the remainder of his time in Glacier National Park.
One experience he often told us was of the two orphaned bear cubs he raised the summer he spent at Packers Roost, packing supplies to the look-out with a string of mules. The bears added some enjoyment to an otherwise very lonely time.
When Dad was 24, he repented and found forgiveness of his sins. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite on January 3,1947, by minister Herman Mininger.
This experience was very precious to him, resulting in a real change of life. Dad endeavored to stay true to this commitment for the rest of his life. We as a family benefited from his steadfast faith in God and His church.
On May 9,1948, Virgil was married Marjorie Dirks of Bonners Ferry. Five sons and three daughters were born to them. They settled on his small dairy farm in the Moyie Springs area, at first living in an old log cabin. For some years, he worked at the sawmill in Moyie Springs while building up his dairy herd. In 1964 we bought his parents farm. This is where they stayed and raised our family.
Dad and Mom had a strong marriage that carried them through 62 years. The last 16 months Dad faithfully visited Mom every day at the Extended Care Facility wing of the Community Hospital.
During this time he made many friends with hospital staff and other patients.
He loved livestock, with his basic occupation having to do with cattle . He also liked horses, and always had a special interest insheep. He kept a small flock which he enjoyed caring for until just a few months before his death. His focus never seemed to be on gaining wealth, but he had a strong will to work and provide for his family. He was a friend to everyone and enjoyed visiting and helping his neighbors. He loved his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren and took a special interest in each one.
Those left to cherish fond memories of him are his beloved wife, Marjorie; five sons and three daughters; Gerald and Janice, Bonners Ferry, ; Joyce and Glenn Banach, Montezuma, Kan.; Roger and Cheryl, Moyie Springs; Leanna and Randy Wedel, Bonners Ferry; Mark and Robin, Bonners Ferry; Ruth and Ancel Schmidt, Moyie Springs; Loren and Mary Lou, Charlo, Mont.; Dalton and Rolanda, Connell, Wash.
He also is survived by 38 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Leonard and Ruth, Grafton, North Dakota and Delmar, Moyie Springs,Idaho; two sisters, Lillie and Cyril Mastre, Grant, Nebraska and Regina, Bonners Ferry; sisters -in-law, Mary Unruh and Annie Unruh of Bonners Ferry; Virginia Unruh, Buhl, Idaho; brother-in-law, Abe Dirks, Brooksville, Miss.; sisters-in-law, Martha Dirks, Opal Dirks and Doris and Ervin Jantz, all of Bonners Ferry, Fern Dirks, Bethel Home, Montezuma, Kan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, three sisters, one grandson, one great grandson and two grandsons-in-law.
Family and friends are invited to sign Virgil’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.