Delmar D. Unruh
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.