SARA UNRAU

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

SARA UNRAU Sara Unrau was born on November 28, 1927 in the home of her parents, Henry and Sara Wiebe, on a farm west of Altona. She was the fourth child, the oldest daughter in a family of eight. Mom got her education in a two room school in Neu-Hoffnung now called New Hope. Although school was very enjoyable for her, she was forced to drop out at the age of 14 to help at home. It was in Moms teen years that she confessed her sins and accepted Christ as her personal Saviour. She was baptized in the spring of 1947 by the late Bishop William Falk in Bergfeld. On July 30, 1950 Mom was married to the man of her dreams, Jacob Unrau. For 41 years they shared joy and happiness, sickness and sorrow, until Dad passed away on November 11, 1991. Most of these 41 years Mom and Dad lived in Winnipeg, except for seven years that were spent farming in the MacGregor area. We had a stay-at-home Mom until the youngest child was in school. At this time she took a part time job cleaning houses and later worked at the Red Cross as shipper and receiver. Mom was also a very active volunteer. She volunteered at the Red Cross for 20 years, 13 years at Harvest Ministry Gospel Mennonite Church and in later years she spent many hours of her time at Bethel Place, actively participating and organizing committees. She donated blood 76 times. On February 14, 1994 Mom moved to Bethel Place and enjoyed living there until her health forced her into hospital. Mom was always a strong and healthy woman until cancer attacked her body. Due to this she first lost her sight in her left eye and in the fall of 2002 she started having abdominal and back pains. On February 18 of this year Moms blind eye was removed and a cancerous tumour was found. She suffered much pain and on July 4, 2003 she was admitted to the St. Boniface Hospital. It was at this time we were told she had wide spread cancer. Numerous tumours in her back and spine left her unable to walk. With the help of home care and many volunteers, we were able to fulfil her wishes and bring her home for two weeks, at which time she was transferred to the Riverview Health Centre. On September 10, 2003 her suffering ended. The Lord took Mom to her Eternal home. Mom was predeceased by one daughter Verna on November 28, 1987 and her loving husband Jacob Unrau on November 11, 1991. She is survived by two sons, Bernie (Marylou) of Winnipeg and Alvin (Carol) of Stony Mountain; three daughters, Doreen (Henry Zacharias) of Austin, Janice (Klaas Giesbrecht) of Steinbach and Edna (Daniel Mabe) of Winnipeg; and one son-in-law John Giesbrecht of Wetaskawin, AB; 26 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and 4 step-grandchildren. Also surviving are six brothers, one sister and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank those who helped during Moms illness including Marie Enns a cousin to Mom, and Cornelia Giesbrecht a granddaughter, who spent many nights with Mom. A special thank you to Dr. Garcia, the wonderful nurses, aids, other staff at Riverview Health Centre and the Palliative Homecare Program. Funeral Service will be held Monday, September 15, 2003 at 10:30 a.m., at Bethel Mennonite Church, 870 Carter Ave., Winnipeg. Viewing will be held on Sunday, September 14, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Klassen Funeral Chapel and prior to the service. Interment will be at the Mennonite Memorial Gardens. KLASSEN Funeral Chapel 1897 Henderson-North of McIvor-338-0331

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 13, 2003