John J. K. Unrau

1918 – 2005

John J. Unrau was born to Peter and Katherina Unrau on November 10, 1918 in the Lowe Farm area and was baptized upon confession of his faith on June 3, 1939. On the first of October, 1942 he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Maria Ginter. Born to them were 5 children, which one boy of 19 months predeceased them.

Dad moved the family to Paraguay in the summer of 1948 and then back to Manitoba in the winter of 1948. They lived in Morris until the flood of 1950 forced them out of their home. The family moved to Winnipeg due to Mother’s health and after finding no cure for her, dad decided to move the family to a farm north of MacGregor.

There dad’s first wife lost the battle with cancer on December 6, 1953 and left a young man with 4 young children behind. Neighbors took the children and cared for them until dad got back on his feet.

On October 3, 1954 dad was married to Elizabeth Esau. They had one daughter from this union.

In 1965 the parents sold their farm and moved to MacGregor, and in the summer of 1996 they moved to Hochfeld, where dad established a large home based business in chiropractic services. Dad was a Sunday school teacher for many years, a school board trustee and enjoyed traveling and many different hobbies. In 1994 dad was predeceased by 1 great-granddaughter, and in January of 1995 dad was predeceased by his second wife Elizabeth (nee Esau). Dad moved to Salem Home at the end of April 2000. He enjoyed the different activities and outings, but especially the food.

Dad had a fall on January 3 and he quickly deteriorated after that. On January 21, he went home to his eternal rest.

He leaves to mourn his passing 3 daughters; Eva Lawrence of Edmonton, AB; Anne and John Buhler of Friedensfeld; Susan and Abe Krahn of Hochfeld; 2 sons; Jake and Norma Unrau of Rossburn; John and Linda Unrau of Hamiota; 21 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren; 1 brother Abe and Susie Unrau of MacGregor; 3 sisters; Helena and John Friesen of Vanderhoof, BC; Susan Tiel and Tina of Ontario, and many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support through visits, food, flowers, cards and phone calls. Many thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at Salem Home for the excellent care you gave dad. Thanks for your patience with his messy room of “crafts”. Thanks to all who brought a “little sunshine” into dad’s life. He appreciated the visits no matter how short. Special thanks to the pallbearers, serving group, ushers, etc. You are a blessing to us. And last but not least thanks to Wiebe Funeral Home for their services and Rev. Henry Penner for officiating the service.

We mourn our loss but rejoice in dad’s gain.

The Family

Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler in care of arrangements.