Unruh, Rosaline M
Rosaline Maud Unruh
November 15, 1926 – February 3, 2010
Rosaline Maud Davies was born in Liverpool, England November 15, 1926. Rose was the youngest of John and Alice Davies’ three children. From Liverpool the family moved to Tunbridge Wells in Kent County, the garden county of England. As a youngster, Rose was a very shy girl. Early in her teens Rose surrendered her heart and life to the Lord, promising to serve Him wherever He would lead.
During her teens, prior to WW II, Rose apprenticed as a seamstress in an infants and childrens clothing shop. Rose, with her sister Mary, began a children’s ministry in a nearby town. She was also active in her home church.
Rose’s early teen years were extremely traumatic. German war planes often flew over her hometown of Tunbridge Wells on their way to London. Running for shelter wherever possible shelter might be found was a frequent occurrence. When Rose turned 18 she was drafted into the Women’s Auxiliary of the British Forces and served as a telephonist on a Home Army Base. It was during this time that Rose met Wilfred Unruh, a Canadian soldier serving in the Medical Corp. They were married February 16, 1946. Shortly after their marriage Wilfred was repatriated home and later that same year, as war ended, Rose was able to move to Canada and rejoin her husband. Both attended Bible School that first year and shortly after Wilfred’s graduation in 1948, they joined Northern Canada Evangelical Mission, under which they served 15 years in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Rose often taught children in Sunday School, DVBS and summer camps. She had a real love for working with children and during the summer months there were always story times with children sitting on the grass avidly listening. The stories told were always intended to lead children’s hearts to Jesus.
While living in the northland, Rose and her husband and family faced many hardships and challenges. Eventually the hardships took a toll on Rose’s health and combined with the children’s schooling needs, it was deemed wise to leave the north. The following years were spent in supporting her husband in deputation ministry for NCEM and pastoral ministry, as well as raising her children. Rose was a faithful, loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. In 13 days, Rose and Wilfred would have celebrated 64 years of marriage.
Rose passed away at the age of 83, on February 3, 2010, at the Rosthern Mennonite Nursing Home.
She is survived by her loving husband Wilfred, five children – Delphy Bacon, Lester and Edith Unruh, Brian and Gwen Unruh, Sharon and Dave Cheel, Carolyn and Doug Graham; 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Anna Davies.
She was predeceased by her parents John and Alice Davies, brother George Davies, sister and brother-in-law Mary and Frank Martin, son-in-law Wayne Bacon and great grandson Xavier Schettler.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion”, says my soul “therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him.
Lamentations 3:22-25
The Funeral Service was held Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Salem Church, Waldheim, with Pastor Darrell Derksen officiating.
Pallbearers were Lester Unruh, Brian Unruh, Jason Unruh, Rob Unruh, Greg Unruh and Joel Unruh.
Interment took place in Salem Cemetery.
Arrangements were in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK.
