Marjorie Unruh, 90

Funeral services for Marjorie Unruh, 90, were held on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain View Mennonite Church near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, followed by internment in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery.

She passed away on July 30, 2014.

Marjorie (Dirks) Unruh was born on Oct. 30, 1923, to Enoch and Hannah Dirks in Winton, Calif. She was the eighth child of 10.

When she was two years old her family moved to Durham, Kan., where she grew up and received her education in the Red Top schoolhouse.

These happy years were spent with her family and with a large family of cousins living nearby. In 1937, when she was 14, they moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. She lived here the rest of her life.

She gave her heart to the Lord during a series of revival meetings, when she was 17, and was baptized on Feb. 10, 1941, by minister Frank Wenger.

Over the next several years she worked for different families, boarding with them because of the gas rationing during the Depression years. One job was in Newport, Wash., where she milked cows and gathered eggs. She also worked at a dry cleaners for some time.

On May 9, 1948, she was married to our father Virgil Unruh. Their love for each other lasted more than 62 years, until Dad was suddenly taken from her. It seemed like there was a special closeness and care for each other during the sunset years.

Together they raised a family of eight children on their dairy farm in northern Idaho. Her life was very busy with the duties of raising a large family, but the door was always open to many of our cousins, neighbors, and friends. Our mother never had a driver’s license and was truly a keeper at home; always being there for us children.

A large garden and a busy kitchen were the hallmark of our mother. She had a very quiet disposition, but her children and grandchildren always felt her love.

As she grew older she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and quilting, making many gifts for all of us. Her grandchildren enjoyed the baked goodies and candy that were always there.

We know that in spite of hardships and the challenges of life, she never lost her faith in her Lord Jesus Christ, letting him refine her life. She carried a real concern for our souls and we felt her support and prayers. She wrote many letters to loved ones serving time in the mission field.

In her older years, she quietly endured much physical pain, and was brave until the end. She spent her last five and one half years in a nursing home, and we as a family are very thankful for the loving care she received there. We appreciate that she is released from her suffering and have confidence that she is at rest in the Lord. She peacefully passed away July 30, 2014, with family at her side, reaching 90 years and nine months.

She is survived by five sons and three daughters, Gerald and Janice, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Joyce and Glenn Banach, Dodge City, Kan.; Roger and Cheryl, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Leanna and Randal Wedel, Bonners Ferry; Mark and Robin, Yuma, Ariz.; Ruth and Ancel Schmidt, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Loren and MaryLou, Ronan, Mont.; Dalton and Rolanda, Othello, Wash.; 39 grandchildren; 62 great grandchildren; one sister Doris Jantz; sisters-in-law, Martha Dirks; Opal Dirks; Lillie and Cyril Mastre; Virginia Unruh; Annie Unruh; Regina Unruh; brother-in-law, Leonard and Ruth Unruh.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, six brothers and two sisters, one grandson, two grandsons-in-law and one great grandson.

Family and friends are invited to sign Marjorie’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.