Elsie Mae (Schmidt) Unruh

Elsie Mae (Schmidt) Unruh was born to Fred and Laphine (Sebrant) Schmidt on March 12, 1937, in Grady County near Chickasha, Oklahoma. She departed this life on February 2, 2026, almost reaching her 89th birthday.

Early in her life she repented of her sins and answered the call of God to follow Him. She was baptized into The Church of God in Christ, Mennonite at Chickasha, Oklahoma, on January 29, 1950. The grace of God was evidenced in her life by a settled faith and a desire to do right.

Elsie's childhood and youth years were spent in the Chickasha area. She received her education in Grady County, Oklahoma, and completed nurses' training in Dodge City, Kansas. She practiced this profession for many years, working at the Chickasha Hospital and at Bethel Home in Montezuma. She loved being a nurse. It made her happy that her granddaughter chose this profession, often telling her "see, I told you so," when asking if she enjoyed being a nurse.

On October 2, 1988, she was united in marriage to our father, Johnny Unruh. She joined his life on the farm at Wilmore, Kansas, and was a faithful companion to him for 23 years. They moved from the farm to Greensburg just five years before they suffered the total loss of their home due to the tornado of 2007. Only a few years later, Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. She lovingly and patiently nursed him through his illness until his death in June, 2012.

We will remember Elsie as a quiet and uncomplaining person. She was a good cook and gave of the things she made in her kitchen, often having something to share even when she wasn't asked to. She liked to look through cookbooks and try new recipes. She loved pretty dishes. She spent time sewing, reading, and watching the birds. Faithfully she went each week to volunteer at Care & Share, a local thrift store. It was important to her. She greatly missed that part of her life after her move to an apartment at Bethel Home in Montezuma in July of 2024; however, there were new friends and activities waiting for her there.

Her survivors include her stepchildren: John Unruh, Mike and Jan Unruh of Greensburg, KS; Vicki and Merlynn Koehn of Dumas, AR; Linda and Wendell Schneider of Ithaca, MI; Roger Unruh of Wilmore, KS; Randy Unruh, Phillip Unruh of Coldwater KS; and Kristine and Steve Woolaway of Eudora, KS; 19 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Clayton Schmidt and Roy Schmidt; 3 brothers-in-law: Reynold and Mary Koehn, Curtis and Joann Unruh, Alton and Virginia Unruh; 4 sisters-in-law: Virginia Finley, Sharon Schmidt, Ilene Unruh and Dorothy Unruh; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; 2 stepdaughters-in-law: ElVera Unruh and Gay Lyn Unruh; 5 brothers, 2 sisters, 8 brothers-in-law and 6 sisters-in-law.

Visitation with family present is from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Bethel Mennonite Church, Greensburg, KS.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 6, 2026, at Bethel Mennonite Church, Greensburg, KS.

Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home or The Hill Top House in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to all the nurses and caregivers who cared for Grandma Elsie, and to everyone who has reached out to our family in so many caring ways.