Velma Unruh
Velma Winter Unruh, 93, of the Aulne community, rural Marion, died Aug. 26, 2003 at Marion Manor in Marion.
She was born July 25, 1910, in the Ebenfeld community, rural Hillsboro, the eldest of five children of Henry and Anna (Hein) Leppke.
She grew up on the family farm south of Marion, attended Dickerson rural school and Marion High School.
She attended Steinrich and Ebenfield churches and since 1980 had been a member of Aulne United Methodist Church.
A member of the National Massage Association for more than 50 years, she attended Swedish Massage College in 1958.
Called the "produce lady" by many friends, she enjoyed gardening and flowers, sharing her produce at farmer's markets in both Marion and Newton.
On Oct. 1, 1933, she was married to Jacob Winter. He died in 1951. They had one son and two daughters, Ivan, Rosalie, and Louise.
On Aug. 1, 1969, she was married to Bennie Unruh, they enjoyed several years together, going fishing and delivering wheat and produce to health food stores. He preceded her in death.
She became ill in January, diagnosed with cancer. She battled the dread disease and lived life to the fullest as long as possible.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Jake and Bennie; daughter Louise Ann, daughter-in-law Berniece, son Ivan, son-in-law Larry Meierhoff, and sister Lillian Robertson.
Survivors include her daughter, Rosalie and husband Virgil Kaiser of Augusta; daughter-in-law, Lois Winter of Florence; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; eight step great-grandchildren; brother, Elmer Leppke and his wife Lillian of Marion; sisters, Gladys Janzen of Hillsboro and Anna Voth of Goessel; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Services were held Saturday afternoon at the Aulne church with pastors Bill Dyar and Mark Moore officiating.
Music was by the Aulne Quartet (Lyle Leppke, Kevin Fruechting, Rod Just, and Mike Fruechting). Eugene Just was pianist and Wanda Williams organist.
Burial was in Marion Cemetery.
A memorial has been established with the Methodist Student Scholarship fund.
