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Delmar D. Unruh
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February 25, 1936 ~ September 2, 2012 |
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September 5, 2012 |
 Delmar D. Unruh passed away at his home near
Moyie Springs on September 2, 2012. Funeral
Services were held Friday, September 7 at
Woodland Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry with
interment following in Grandview Cemetery.
Delmar Dene Unruh was born on February 25, 1936,
to Edward and Minnie Unruh in Copeland, Kansas.
He had eight brothers and sisters; Orville,
Virgil, Mabel, Floyd, Lillie, Paul, Leonard and
Regina.
Siblings earlier passed: Laura, Reginald, and
Lois Jane
Preceding Delmar in death: wife Dorothy; father
Edward; mother Minnie; brothers Orville, Virgil,
Floyd and Paul; and sister Mabel.
Dad enjoyed many activities during his childhood
years including logging with his father and
brothers during the winter, helping farm the
fields during the spring and summer, and helping
run the dairy.
Dad had fond memories of riding horses in his
younger years. He and his sister, Regina, would
stand on the back of one of the tamer horses and
ride around in this daredevil fashion.
During his late teenaged years, Dad moved to
Roseburg, Oregon, to work in the Veteran’s
Hospital. He reflected on his time in Roseburg
with pride and a spark of independence.
Dad purchase an Indian motorcycle and rode
alongside friends who also owned them. Dad
really liked cars, especially the fast ones. He
was known to do a little drag racing out at the
Montana state line with his 1962 Impala SS.
Delmar met Dorothy Shurtlieff in 1963. They
married on April 25, 1965. They had three
children; Keith, Derrill and Jenny.
Shortly after Dad and Mom married, they bought
40 acres near the Three Mile Junction. There Dad
built the home they would raise their family in.
Countless Sunday afternoons were spent around
the dinner table enjoying large meals prepared
by mom, grandma Naomi and aunt Ruth. After
dinner, we played pitch and pinochle late into
the evening. The Shurtlieff’s were spirited card
players.
Dad began a small farm running 15 to 20 head of
cattle. Dad started working construction for his
brother-in-law, Cyril Mastre, where he met
Dawrence Holmes, who took Dad under his wing
teaching him the trade of construction. Dad
worked construction until he passed away. One of
his last projects was building a chicken coop
for his daughter, Jenny.
Dad and Mom sold 20 acres to start a pig farm.
They ran the pig farm with the help of their
sons until 1997, selling it in 1998.
After retiring from farming, Dad and Mom moved
back to the Unruh homestead. There he grew a
large vegetable garden and canned the produce
with the help of his sister and pal, Regina. His
pickles (which was his mother’s recipe) were a
favorite of his grandkids and those lucky enough
to get a jar. Also on the property, he planted
500 spruce trees with the help of his grandson,
Devon.
One of Dad’s favorite pastimes was fishing. He
spent many afternoons fishing with his
Grandkids, or little fishing buddies as they
were referred to. He also fished Lake Koocanusa
with Larry Dirks and Frank Klein; they would
limit out on the blue back.
Left to mourn Dad are his son, Keith and his
children, Colton, Dylan and Kinzie, all of
Bonners Ferry; son Derrill, wife Laura and their
children, Devon, Tanner and Chloe, all of Hayden
Idaho; daughter Jenny of Coeur d’Alene; brother
Leonard and wife Ruth of North Dakota; sisters
Lillie Mastre and husband Cyril of Nebraska;
Regina Unruh of Bonners Ferry; sisters-in-law,
Mary, Marge, Virginia and Annie; brother-in-law
Abe Dirks and numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by his family and
countless friends.
Family and friends are invited to sign Delmar’s
book at
www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of
Bonners Ferry Funeral Home. |
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